flash fiction: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, academic, creative writing
Quick answer
What does “flash fiction” mean?
A very short work of fiction, typically under 1,000 words.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very short work of fiction, typically under 1,000 words.
A literary genre focused on extreme brevity, where a complete narrative arc is conveyed in a minimal word count, often relying on implication and suggestion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more established as a formal genre term in US academic and creative writing circles, but widely recognized in the UK.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in literary discussions; perhaps marginally more common in US MFA program terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “flash fiction” in a Sentence
[Author] writes flash fiction.[Publication] features flash fiction.This is a [adjective] example of flash fiction.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flash fiction” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She loves to flash-fiction her ideas into complete tales.
- He's attempting to flash-fiction the entire saga into 500 words.
American English
- She loves to flash fiction her ideas into complete tales.
- He's trying to flash fiction the entire saga into 500 words.
adverb
British English
- The story was written flash-fiction-style.
- He writes flash-fiction-quickly.
American English
- The story was written flash fiction style.
- He writes flash fiction quickly.
adjective
British English
- The flash-fiction scene in the UK is thriving.
- It was a flash-fiction masterpiece.
American English
- The flash fiction scene in the US is thriving.
- It was a flash fiction masterpiece.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in publishing industry discussions about market trends.
Academic
Common in creative writing studies, literary theory, and genre analysis.
Everyday
Uncommon; used mainly by readers, writers, and in book clubs.
Technical
Specific to literary criticism and creative writing pedagogy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flash fiction”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flash fiction”
- Using it to describe any short story (must be exceptionally short).
- Confusing it with a vignette or scene (must have narrative arc).
- Misspelling as 'flash-fiction' (usually open compound).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no absolute rule, but it is commonly defined as fiction under 1,000 words, with many contests and publications setting limits between 300 and 1,000 words.
No. Flash fiction is a sub-category of the short story, distinguished by its significantly shorter length. All flash fiction is short, but not all short stories are flash fiction.
Yes. Effective flash fiction must contain the core elements of a story—often a character, a conflict, and a resolution—but presented in a highly condensed form.
Many literary magazines (online and print) feature flash fiction, and there are dedicated journals and websites for the genre, such as 'Flash Fiction Online' and 'Smokelong Quarterly'.
A very short work of fiction, typically under 1,000 words.
Flash fiction is usually literary, academic, creative writing in register.
Flash fiction: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflæʃ ˈfɪk.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflæʃ ˈfɪk.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In a flash (conceptually related, but not a direct idiom for the term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a camera FLASH – it's brief, instantaneous, but can capture a whole scene. FLASH FICTION captures a whole story in a brief, instantaneous read.
Conceptual Metaphor
STORY IS A PHOTOGRAPH (captured in a single, brief exposure).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of flash fiction?