flashing
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the act of a light turning on and off very quickly.
the intermittent emission or reflection of light, often used as a signal or indicator.
Simple“The flashing of the emergency lights warned drivers to slow down.”
In context“The rhythmic flashing of the lighthouse provided a reliable navigational anchor for the sailors navigating the treacherous coastline.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
pieces of metal or plastic used to stop water from getting into the joints of a roof.
strips of impervious material, typically lead or aluminium, installed to prevent water penetration at roof joints and penetrations.
Simple“The builder had to replace the lead flashing around the chimney to stop the leak.”
In context“Improperly installed copper flashing at the valley of the roof led to significant structural rot over the course of a single decade.”
UsageUsually uncountable when referring to the material generally, but countable when referring to specific sections.
Synonymsweatherproofingsealant - 03 C1 Advanced
the act of showing your naked body to someone in public for a short time.
the act of briefly exposing one's genitals or naked body in a public place.
Simple“The man was arrested for flashing in the park near the school.”
In context“The local authorities increased patrols following several reports of flashing in the residential district during the late evening hours.”
Synonymsexposureindecency
“But it backtracked from that account after footage emerged showing the Red Crescent and civil defence teams driving slowly with their emergency vehicle lights flashing and logos visible.”
“As the UN Secretary General António Guterres has put it, "every key climate indicator is flashing red".”
From flash + -ing. * (weatherproofing): From original flashing material of copper or aluminum that reflects flashes of sunlight.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.