flic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal/Slang
Quick answer
What does “flic” mean?
A slang term for a police officer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A slang term for a police officer.
Can be used broadly for any law enforcement official. Primarily associated with casual or slightly informal speech.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Rare in British English, where 'copper' or 'bobby' are more common slang. In American English, it is an informal term, but 'cop' is far more prevalent.
Connotations
In American usage, it can sound slightly dated or even borrowed from French. In British English, its use is extremely rare and may be perceived as a direct borrowing from French.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties. More likely to be encountered in historical contexts, crime fiction, or dialogue attempting a specific tone.
Grammar
How to Use “flic” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] flic [VERBed] the suspect.I talked to a flic [PREP PHRASE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Rare informal use among certain speakers; 'cop' is vastly more common.
Technical
Not used in law enforcement jargon.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flic”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is a common or modern term in English.
- Overusing it instead of the more natural 'cop' or 'officer'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency slang term borrowed from French. 'Cop' is the dominant informal term.
No, it is strictly informal/slang and would be inappropriate in formal contexts.
'Flic' is rarer, sounds slightly dated or intentionally 'foreign' (French), while 'cop' is the standard, widespread informal term in American and British English.
It is a direct borrowing from French slang 'flic', meaning police officer. Its exact etymology in French is uncertain.
A slang term for a police officer.
Flic: in British English it is pronounced /flɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /flɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The flics are onto us.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'flick' of a badge – a quick, informal flash of police identification.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS AN OBJECT (a badge, a uniform) – metonymic reference via the uniform/job.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'flic' be MOST appropriate?