# flashlight

/ˈfɫæʃˌɫaɪt/ (US) · /flˈæʃlaɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flashlight
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. handheld light

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

a small electric light that you carry in your hand, powered by batteries.

For teachers: a portable, battery-powered handheld device used for illumination.

- He used a flashlight to find his way to the bathroom during the power cut.
- The campers relied on their flashlights to navigate the narrow trail back to the site after the sun had set.

Teaching tip: In British English, this device is almost always called a 'torch'. 'Flashlight' is the standard term in the US, Canada, and the Philippines.

### 2. photography flash

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a device on a camera that makes a bright flash of light to take a photo.

For teachers: a device or attachment used in photography to produce a brief, intense flash of artificial light.

- The photographer adjusted the flashlight to avoid creating harsh shadows on the model's face.
- Modern digital cameras often integrate the flashlight into the body, though professional photographers still prefer external units for better control.

Usage: In modern photography, 'flash' is more common than 'flashlight' for this specific sense.

## Examples

- I used a flashlight to find my keys in the dark.
- When the power went out during the storm, we relied on a heavy-duty flashlight to navigate the house.
- The rescue team scanned the dense forest floor with high-intensity flashlights, hoping to catch a glimpse of the missing hiker's reflective gear.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.