TOP

Definition of flicker noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

flicker

noun
 
/ˈflɪkə(r)/
 
/ˈflɪkər/
[usually singular]
jump to other results
  1. flicker (of something) a light that shines in an unsteady way
    • the flicker of a television/candle
    Extra Examples
    • He saw a flicker of light in the darkness.
    • The brief flicker of a candle flame caught our eyes.
    • The candle gave one last flicker and went out.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • faint
    • slight
    • small
    • …
    verb + flicker
    • show
    • catch
    • notice
    • …
    flicker + verb
    • cross something
    • catch somebody’s eye
    preposition
    • flicker of
    phrases
    • the flicker of a candle
    • the flicker of a flame
    • a flicker of somebody’s/​the eyes
    • …
    See full entry
  2. flicker (of something) a small, sudden movement with part of the body
    • the flicker of an eyelid
    • By not the merest flicker of an eyelid did he betray his interest.
    Extra Examples
    • A flicker of movement caught her eye and she turned her head.
    • Her only reaction was a slight flicker of her eyes.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • faint
    • slight
    • small
    • …
    verb + flicker
    • show
    • catch
    • notice
    • …
    flicker + verb
    • cross something
    • catch somebody’s eye
    preposition
    • flicker of
    phrases
    • the flicker of a candle
    • the flicker of a flame
    • a flicker of somebody’s/​the eyes
    • …
    See full entry
  3. flicker (of something) a feeling or an emotion that lasts for only a very short time
    • a flicker of hope/doubt/interest
    • A flicker of a smile crossed her face.
    Extra Examples
    • ‘We'll soon be there,’ she thought, with a flicker of excitement.
    • A flicker of guilt crossed his face.
    • European stock markets showed barely a flicker of interest in the election result.
    • She caught the faintest flicker of amusement on his face.
    • She felt a brief flicker of jealousy.
    • She spoke without a flicker of fear.
    • The secret police were determined to stamp out the last flickers of academic freedom.
    • The witness stared at the accused but she showed not a flicker of recognition.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • faint
    • slight
    • small
    • …
    verb + flicker
    • show
    • catch
    • notice
    • …
    flicker + verb
    • cross something
    • catch somebody’s eye
    preposition
    • flicker of
    phrases
    • the flicker of a candle
    • the flicker of a flame
    • a flicker of somebody’s/​the eyes
    • …
    See full entry
    4. Word OriginOld English flicorian, flycerian ‘to flutter’, probably of Germanic origin and related to Low German flickern and Dutch flikkeren.
See flicker in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: flicker

Other results

All matches

Nearby words

unclear
adjective
 
 
From the Word list
OPAL written words
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day