Words / C1

FLIK-uh/ˈflɪkə/

To flicker is to shine unsteadily, or of a feeling or expression to appear briefly: lights flicker, hope flickered, a smile flickered. Flash (already in the dictionary) is brighter and shorter; glow is steadier; a power cut is the end of the light. Do not treat a hopeful text as a filled rota.

Meaning

To shine unsteadily; of a feeling, to appear briefly.

Examples

• “Hope flickered when a spare marker texted; the rota still had a blank.”
• “Blink is eyes or LEDs. Flare is stronger. Appear is everyday and longer-lasting. A text is a maybe. A name on the rota is cover. Keep the maybe in the chat; put the name in the grid.”

Good to know

Shine/appear unsteadily or briefly. Close: flash (already in the dictionary). Contrast: a steady glow; a filled rota. A text ≠ a name.

Near in meaning

glimmer

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