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
Examples of flake in a Sentence
Noun (1)
sprinkle the cake with coconut flakes
Verb
Bake the fish until it flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Noun (3)
the lady with all those cats is sweet, but kind of a flake
Recent Examples on the Web
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025
That said, constant white flakes of dead skin cells on your clothes can get pretty frustrating.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2025
Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Unlike some hairsprays that shellac your hair into place and risk flaking, this one keeps things soft, touchable, and free of helmet hair.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flake
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The sassy semi-homemade dressing (featuring Italian dressing, balsamic, honey, and crushed red pepper flakes), the tender sautéed chicken, and the enticing combination of colorful vegetables really help this supper shine.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025
That said, constant white flakes of dead skin cells on your clothes can get pretty frustrating.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
The mascara wraps each lash to lengthen, lift and define, with vegan beeswax to keep the look locked in without flaking or smudging all day long.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Unlike some hairsprays that shellac your hair into place and risk flaking, this one keeps things soft, touchable, and free of helmet hair.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flake
Cite this Entry
“Flake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flake. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share