Word
flicker
Phoneticsflick·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɫɪkɝ/
UK/flˈɪkɐ/
Definition
v. to shine with a light that keeps going on and off or getting brighter and softer. You can also use it to describe a quick, weak feeling or movement.
v. to shine with an unsteady or wavering light; to move with a rapid, jerky motion. Often describes light sources or brief emotional displays.
Examples
“The candle began to flicker in the wind.”
“The old streetlights flicker every time a heavy truck drives past the building.”
“A brief smile began to flicker across her face before she regained her composure and continued the difficult negotiation.”
Examples
simple
“The candle began to flicker in the wind.”
contextual
“The old streetlights flicker every time a heavy truck drives past the building.”
complex
“A brief smile began to flicker across her face before she regained her composure and continued the difficult negotiation.”
Usage
Intransitive — does not take a direct object.
Etymology
From Middle English flikeren (“to flutter”), from Old English flicerian, flicorian (“to flutter”), from Proto-West Germanic *flikurōn. Akin to Saterland Frisian flikkerje (“to flicker”), West Frisian flikkerje (“to flicker”), Dutch flikkeren (“to flicker, flutter”), German Low German flickern (“to light up, flash, flicker”). Compare Old English flacor (“flickering, fluttering”), German flackern (“to flicker, flutter”), Old English flēogan (“to fly”).
1808, American English, probably echoic of the bird's call, or from the white spotted plumage which appears to flicker. It is also true that the bird vigorously flicks away treebark, woodchips, and ground detritus while feeding, which may possibly explain the name.
From flick + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/flicker