B2noun2K

Flash

UK /["/flæʃ/"]/US /["/flæʃ/"]/

Definition

a sudden bright light that shines for a moment and then disappears

In simple words: A sudden bright light or short burst of light.

Examples

  • The flash of lightning illuminated the sky for a brief moment.
  • She took a quick flash photo during the concert.
  • In the fiction story, a flash of inspiration changed the hero's fate.
  • He demonstrated flash thinking when he solved the problem quickly.
  • The camera's flash blinded her for a second.
  • There was a sudden flash of anger in his eyes.
  • The flash drive needs to be plugged into a USB port.
  • You can transfer files easily from the computer to the flash memory.

Usage notes

Use 'flash' when referring to a quick and bright occurrence of light. It is informal in some contexts (e.g., a flash of inspiration) but can also be used in more formal language, like photography.

Grammar pattern

flash + (noun: light, camera, etc.)

Memory hint

Think of a camera's flash going off, making everything bright for a moment.

Collocations

  • great
  • blinding
  • bright
  • experience
  • feel
  • have
  • erupt
  • illuminate something
  • light something
  • flash from
  • flash of
  • great
  • blinding
  • bright
  • experience
  • feel
  • have
  • erupt
  • illuminate something
  • light something
  • flash from
  • flash of
  • built-in
  • camera
  • use
  • go off
  • work
  • photography
  • with (a) flash
  • great
  • blinding
  • bright
  • experience
  • feel
  • have
  • erupt
  • illuminate something
  • light something
  • flash from
  • flash of
  • great
  • blinding
  • bright
  • experience
  • feel
  • have
  • erupt
  • illuminate something
  • light something
  • flash from
  • flash of

Synonyms

  • glow
  • blaze
  • spark
  • flare
  • shine

Antonyms

  • darkness
  • shadow

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'splash' when describing water.
  • Using 'flash' as a verb without specifying the subject.
  • Overusing in formal contexts where other terms like 'illumination' may be more appropriate.