flash

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Photography

n. a small light on a camera that makes a bright burst to help take photos in the dark.

n. an electronic device or bulb used in photography to produce a brief, intense light for illumination.

“Don't use the flash in the museum because it might damage the old paintings.”

“The photographer adjusted the external flash to bounce the light off the ceiling, creating a softer effect for the portrait.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a very short period of time.

n. an extremely brief interval of time; often used in the phrase 'in a flash'.

“The summer holidays seemed to go by in a flash.”

“The entire sequence of events occurred in a flash, leaving the witnesses struggling to recall the exact order of the accident.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a sudden and powerful thought or emotion.

n. a sudden and brilliant burst of an abstract quality, such as wit, genius, or insight.

“I had a flash of inspiration and finally solved the puzzle.”

“In a rare flash of genius, the engineer proposed a solution that bypassed the structural limitations of the original design.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to shine with a bright light for a very short time.

v. to emit a brief or intermittent light; can be transitive or intransitive.

“The lighthouse flashed its warning across the stormy sea.”

“The diamond flashed brilliantly as she moved her hand under the gallery spotlights.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to move very fast past someone or something.

v. to move at great speed in a specified direction.

“A red sports car flashed past us on the motorway.”

“The high-speed train flashed through the station without stopping, creating a powerful gust of wind on the platform.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to show something to someone very quickly.

v. to make something visible for a very brief duration, often to prove identity or status.

“The officer flashed his badge and asked to enter the building.”

“He flashed a quick smile of encouragement before stepping onto the stage to begin his presentation.”

C1 · Advanced Computing Technical

v. to update the software on a piece of hardware, like a phone or computer part.

v. to overwrite or update the firmware in a non-volatile memory chip.

“You need to flash the latest BIOS to support the new processor.”

“The technician warned that if the power failed while flashing the firmware, the device could become permanently unusable.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate British English · Informal

adj. looking expensive and impressive, often in a way that tries to get attention.

adj. ostentatiously expensive or stylish; intended to impress others.

“He drives a flash car but he doesn't have much money in the bank.”

“The new nightclub was a bit too flash for my taste, with gold-plated fixtures and overpriced cocktails.”