flicker
B2Neutral, used in both formal and informal contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to burn or shine unsteadily, with quick, small changes in light intensity.
To appear briefly and weakly; to move quickly and lightly; a brief or slight sensation or indication.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies instability, fragility, or a lack of sustained presence. Can be applied to light, emotions, hopes, and movements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major syntactic or meaning differences. The verb is slightly more common than the noun in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar connotations of fragility and transience in both dialects.
Frequency
Similar frequency of use. Collocation with 'hope' is slightly more common in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
S V (The candle flickered.)S V A (A smile flickered across his face.)S V (with NP) (His eyes flickered with suspicion.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not a flicker of doubt/emotion”
- “the flicker of an eyelid (to show no reaction)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possible metaphor: 'Investor confidence began to flicker.'
Academic
Used descriptively in literature and psychology: 'A flicker of cognitive awareness.'
Everyday
Common for describing lights, screens, and brief expressions.
Technical
In computing/AV: 'screen flicker' (an undesirable rapid change in brightness).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There was a brief flicker of light from the torch.
- He felt a flicker of guilt about the decision.
- A flicker on the monitor indicated a fault.
American English
- We saw the flicker of a candle in the window.
- She noticed a flicker of interest in his expression.
- The last flicker of daylight vanished.
verb
British English
- The lights flickered during the storm.
- A look of uncertainty flickered in her eyes.
- The old TV picture kept flickering annoyingly.
American English
- The fire flickered in the hearth.
- His confidence flickered for a moment.
- The neon sign flickered on and off all night.
adjective
British English
- The flickering candlelight created strange shadows.
American English
- They watched the flickering images on the silent film.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The candle started to flicker.
- I saw a flicker of light.
- The television screen flickered and then went black.
- A flicker of a smile appeared on her face.
- Despite the bad news, a flicker of optimism remained.
- The old streetlamp flickered intermittently in the fog.
- A complex series of emotions flickered across his features before he spoke.
- The data showed a flicker of economic growth before the downturn.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a Flickering candle FLICKing its light on and off quickly.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/ATTENTION IS LIGHT (e.g., a flicker of hope).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'вспышка' (flash) - a flicker is weaker and repeated.
- Do not use for a single, sudden spark. Russian 'мелькать' is a closer match for the movement sense.
Common Mistakes
- *The sun flickered in the sky. (Too strong/steady a light source.)
- Using 'flicker' for a steady, slow movement.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the LEAST likely to 'flicker'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while the core meaning relates to unsteady light, it is commonly used metaphorically for brief appearances of emotions, hopes, or movements.
'Flicker' suggests a rapid, irregular change in intensity or presence. 'Glimmer' suggests a faint, steady, and continuous shine or indication.
No, 'flicker' inherently implies instability, weakness, or brevity. For strong, steady light, use 'shine', 'glow', or 'beam'.
This is ambiguous and generally avoided. 'The lights flickered' means they shone unsteadily. To say they were turned on, use 'The lights came on' or 'The lights were switched on'.