flake
word
Definition
A 'flake' is a small flat piece that has broken off from something larger, like a snowflake or paint flaking. Colloquially, it also means an unreliable person who often cancels plans or forgets commitments.
Usage & Nuances
As a noun, 'flake' is common in science (snowflake, corn flakes, paint flakes) and in slang ('He's a total flake' means unreliable). The slang use is informal and often mildly critical. As a verb (to flake), it means to peel or come off in pieces.
Spanish: copo - escama - persona poco fiable (coloquial)Portuguese (BR): floco - lasca - pessoa instável (gíria)Portuguese (PT): floco - lasca - pessoa pouco confiável (gíria)Chinese (Simplified): 薄片 - 片状物 - 不可靠的人（俚语）Chinese (Traditional): 薄片 - 片狀物 - 不可靠的人（俚語）Hindi: फुहड़ी - परत - अविश्वसनीय व्यक्ति (स्लैंग)Arabic: رقائق - شظايا - شخص غير موثوق (عامي)Bengali: চিটে - ফোঁটা (তুষার/পেইন্ট) - অসম্ভরযোগ্য ব্যক্তি (informal)Russian: чешуйка - хлопья (снег/краска) - ненадёжный человек (разг.)Japanese: かけら - フレーク（雪・塗料など） - 信頼できない人（くだけた表現）Vietnamese: mảnh vụn - bông tuyết - người thất thường (thông tục)Korean: 조각 - 플레이크(눈/페인트) - 변덕스러운 사람(비격식)Turkish: parça - pul (kar/boya) - güvenilmez kimse (argo)Urdu: ٹکڑا - فلیک (برف/پینٹ) - غیر قابلِ اعتبار شخص (غیر رسمی)Indonesian: mảnh (vỡ) - bông tuyết - người thất hứa (thông tục)
Example Sentences
A flake of paint fell from the wall.
basic
The pastry is so good—it's full of buttery flakes.
natural
Sorry, I'm being such a flake for canceling again.
natural
There was a snow flake on her hair.
basic
He likes to eat corn flakes for breakfast.
basic
Don't count on him; he's a bit of a flake.
natural