flashback
word
Definition
A 'flashback' is a scene in a story that shows something that happened in the past, or a sudden, vivid memory of a past event.
Usage & Nuances
Used both in literature/film for narrative techniques and in psychology for sudden traumatic memories. 'Have a flashback' (memory) vs 'use a flashback' (storytelling). Often associated with dramatic or emotional events.
Example Sentences
The story uses flashbacks to explain the secrets of the past.
basic
Whenever I smell fresh bread, I get a flashback to my grandmother's kitchen.
natural
The movie begins with a flashback to the main character's childhood.
basic
She had a flashback of her first day at school.
basic
The loud noise gave him a flashback to the accident.
natural
In the novel, there's a powerful flashback that reveals why the friends stopped talking.
natural