flash

USAGE SUMMARY

"flash" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a sudden burst of light, a brief moment in time, or a quick movement. Example sentence: She ran past us in a flash.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Film

Tech

Arts

Business

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When asked to respond to Simon Cowell's recent comment that Clarkson "started to fight against what made her successful … one minute she wants to make pop records, and then she doesn't," she laughs loudly again, but there's a distinct flash of anger as she says: "Everyone's aware that My Life Would Suck Without You and Already Gone were huge pop hits, right?

The Guardian - Music

Also, as this excellent Atlantic piece points out, there's a slightly uneasy "white saviour" theme throughout, best exemplified by a genuinely ghastly scene where the family tell the slaves that they're letting them go, everybody starts hugging and, quick as a flash, one of the freed women starts singing Amazing Grace.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Sometime in the middle of the night, the television turns back on, the lights flash open and the taps start running again.

The Guardian - Travel

If Cook seems to be suffering a chronic case of competitive fatigue before England's one-day series, which starts next week, there was at least a flash of characteristically restrained fury in his response to his team's humiliation here.

The Guardian - Sport

Nor do you see many cars flash on to a footpath behind a tight knot of pedestrians and proceed to ring their bell furiously until everyone jumps out of their way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's an excellent flash of colour on a sandal strap, an unusual neon gingham on a skirt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Stuxnet worm, which the US and Israel used to disable Iranian centrifuges, was introduced via flash drive.

The Guardian - Opinion

She never used flash, probably didn't know how it worked.

The Guardian - Arts

The panels of the daily Dilbert strip or the Chuck Norris Facts widget flash by too quickly to read.

The New York Times - Tech

Well, now that you mention it, if you study the footage of the 1987 tour of Japan contained here, you get plenty of chance to have a good look, 'cos Pete does love to flash his arse at the crowd.

The Guardian - Film

Another hacking attack two years later – this time on the Associated Press Twitter account – merely said Obama had been injured in an attack on the White House, but still managed to spark a flash crash that temporarily wiped billions of dollars off the stock market.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flash" to describe a sudden event, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean a burst of light, a brief moment, or a quick action. For example, "a flash of inspiration" versus "a camera flash".

Common error

Avoid using "flash" vaguely. Specify what kind of "flash" you are referring to. Saying "I saw a flash" can be confusing without further clarification.

Linguistic Context

The word "flash" functions as a noun, verb, and adjective. As a noun, it denotes a sudden burst of light or a brief moment. As a verb, it means to shine briefly or to display quickly. The examples provided by Ludwig show various uses across different contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Film

8%

Tech

7%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flash" is a versatile word that functions as a noun, verb, and adjective, denoting sudden bursts, quick actions, or brief moments. It is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, from news and media to lifestyle and technology. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is usable in diverse writing scenarios. While source authority is high, context remains key to effective use. Remember to clearly specify the type of "flash" you are referencing to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "glimpse", "burst", or "instant" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the situation. The abundance of examples demonstrates its widespread applicability in modern English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burst

Emphasizes a sudden release of energy or light.

glimpse

Highlights a brief or incomplete view.

flare

Focuses on a sudden bright light or display.

instant

Indicates something happening immediately.

flicker

Suggests an unsteady or wavering light.

twinkle

Implies a sparkling or intermittent light.

moment

Refers to a very short period of time.

split second

Emphasizes the extremely brief duration.

swift action

Highlights the speed and rapidity of movement.

brief exposure

Focuses on the short duration of visibility.

FAQs

How can I use "flash" in a sentence?

You can use "flash" in various contexts. For instance, "There was a sudden "burst of light"", or "The memory came back in a "brief moment"".

What are some alternatives to the word "flash"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "glimpse", "burst", or "instant" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "flash of light" or "burst of light"?

Both "flash of light" and "burst of light" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Flash of light" implies a sudden, brief illumination, while "burst of light" suggests a more intense and expansive emanation.

What is the difference between "flash" and "glimpse"?

"Flash" typically refers to a very brief burst of light or a quick moment. "Glimpse", on the other hand, means a brief or incomplete look at something, not necessarily related to light.