flaked; flaking
1
: to separate into flakes
also
: to peel in flakes
2
or flake out informal
: to fail or neglect to do or participate in something previously scheduled, agreed upon, or assigned
He'd disappear, then text, disappear, and then text again. So it's not particularly surprising that when we finally made plans to meet he flaked without a word.—
Kerensa Cadenas
Kerensa CadenasMy brother isn't the type to flake out without warning.—D. Morgan Ballmer
—often used with onD. Morgan BallmerFlake on your friends too often and pretty soon your only friends will be Dharma and Greg.—Colleen Rush
Colleen RushLet's get him to sign his name to that before he flakes out on you!—Rhoda Janzen
Rhoda Janzen
: a stage, platform, or tray for drying fish or produce
Synonyms
Examples of flake in a Sentence
Verb
Bake the fish until it flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Recent Examples on the WebEssence, 29 Apr. 2024
There are as many verbal and visual gags in the movie as there are corn flakes in an average bowl.
—Detroit Free Press, 28 Apr. 2024
At breakfast, guests can enjoy fresh açaí bowls and avocado toast with chili flakes and equally satiating meals are available for both lunch and dinner.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024
The smoky sausage paste, along with a sprinkle of chipotle flakes, provides enough heat to cut through the fruit, while a drizzle of heavy cream adds a decadent cooling effect.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
Heat the oil for a few seconds, then add garlic and red-pepper flakes, and cook, stirring, until garlic is pale golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
Here, chunky golden nuggets of silken tofu are coated in corn scratch and lightly fried before being placed in a shallow pool of broth made from dashi, soy sauce and sweet mirin then topped with bonito flakes, spicy radish sprouts and ginger.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 16 Apr. 2024
In a medium-size bowl mix red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon basil, oregano and pepper.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
Wash flakes down the drain by lathering up with the Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 20 Mar. 2024
Lacey Muinos, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2024
This one resembles empanadas rather than the standard Japanese breaded dough pockets, flaking apart to reveal a lining of stretchy cheese and ground wagyu beef simmered in sweet Japanese curry.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Finally, the blisters started to dry up, crust over, and flake off.
—Maressa Brown, SELF, 26 Mar. 2024
Why do mobile networks flake during temporary surges in use?
Phone companies have spent a fortune, especially in the past five years, expanding and modernizing mobile networks, including for sudden spikes of mobile use.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
Some of the figures and trackways are severely damaged due to flaking of the rock.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
Flare-ups of these inflammatory diseases go beyond everyday tightness and flaking.
—Jessica Cruel, SELF, 3 Oct. 2023
To check for doneness, use a sharp knife to cut into the thickest part of the meat; when cooked, the flesh will start to pull apart and almost flake.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024
And water temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit could send the animals into cold stress, a condition in which the tail or fins don’t receive enough blood, and patches of skin might flake off.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024
Noun
Instead of achieving a flawless complexion, I was left with dry flakes and irritation.
—Essence, 29 Apr. 2024
There are as many verbal and visual gags in the movie as there are corn flakes in an average bowl.
—Detroit Free Press, 28 Apr. 2024
At breakfast, guests can enjoy fresh açaí bowls and avocado toast with chili flakes and equally satiating meals are available for both lunch and dinner.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024
The smoky sausage paste, along with a sprinkle of chipotle flakes, provides enough heat to cut through the fruit, while a drizzle of heavy cream adds a decadent cooling effect.
—Hannah Whitaker, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024
Heat the oil for a few seconds, then add garlic and red-pepper flakes, and cook, stirring, until garlic is pale golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
Here, chunky golden nuggets of silken tofu are coated in corn scratch and lightly fried before being placed in a shallow pool of broth made from dashi, soy sauce and sweet mirin then topped with bonito flakes, spicy radish sprouts and ginger.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 16 Apr. 2024
In a medium-size bowl mix red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon basil, oregano and pepper.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
Wash flakes down the drain by lathering up with the Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 20 Mar. 2024
Verb
Our editor could visibly see dead skin flaking off after using this tool.
—Lacey Muinos, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2024
This one resembles empanadas rather than the standard Japanese breaded dough pockets, flaking apart to reveal a lining of stretchy cheese and ground wagyu beef simmered in sweet Japanese curry.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Finally, the blisters started to dry up, crust over, and flake off.
—Maressa Brown, SELF, 26 Mar. 2024
Why do mobile networks flake during temporary surges in use?
Phone companies have spent a fortune, especially in the past five years, expanding and modernizing mobile networks, including for sudden spikes of mobile use.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
Some of the figures and trackways are severely damaged due to flaking of the rock.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
Flare-ups of these inflammatory diseases go beyond everyday tightness and flaking.
—Jessica Cruel, SELF, 3 Oct. 2023
To check for doneness, use a sharp knife to cut into the thickest part of the meat; when cooked, the flesh will start to pull apart and almost flake.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2024
And water temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit could send the animals into cold stress, a condition in which the tail or fins don’t receive enough blood, and patches of skin might flake off.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flake
Cite this Entry
“Flake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flake. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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