flintoff: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, primarily used in British and Commonwealth sports contexts.
Quick answer
What does “flintoff” mean?
A proper noun referring primarily to the English cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff (born 1977), known for his all-round skills.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring primarily to the English cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff (born 1977), known for his all-round skills.
May be used as a metonym for a dynamic, charismatic, or powerful all-rounder in any field (sports, business, etc.), though this usage is highly infrequent and context-dependent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the name is widely recognized due to cricket's cultural prominence. In the US, recognition is limited to followers of international cricket or sports documentaries.
Connotations
UK: Charismatic sporting hero, national pride, resilience, all-round ability. US: Unfamiliar; minimal connotations unless specified.
Frequency
High frequency in UK sports media (2005-2009 peak). Very low to zero frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “flintoff” in a Sentence
[Proper noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flintoff” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- It was a Flintoff-esque performance from the young all-rounder.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Only in sports history or media studies contexts.
Everyday
UK: Recognizable name in sports conversation. US: Unlikely to be encountered.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flintoff”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flintoff”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flintoff”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He's a real flintoff').
- Misspelling as 'Flintof' or 'Flintov'.
- Assuming it has a general English meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a proper noun (surname). Its inclusion in a learner's dictionary would be due to its cultural significance, not its lexical meaning.
Only in a highly informal, non-standard way (e.g., 'Flintoff-esque'), primarily in UK sports journalism. It is not a standard adjective.
A learner might encounter it in reading/listening materials about UK culture, sports history, or biographical documentaries.
In British English, stress the first syllable: FLINT-off. The 'off' rhymes with 'cough'. In American English, the vowel in the second syllable may be longer.
A proper noun referring primarily to the English cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff (born 1977), known for his all-round skills.
Flintoff is usually informal, primarily used in british and commonwealth sports contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To pull a Flintoff: To perform a remarkable, against-the-odds recovery (very niche).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'flint' (hard stone) and 'off' (as in driving a ball) – a hard-hitting cricketer.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A TOOL (specifically a versatile, hard-edged tool like flint).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Flintoff' primarily?