flick

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "flick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to refer to a quick, light motion with the finger or something thin, or as a noun to refer to a quick, light movement. Example sentence: She flicked her hand in an dismissive gesture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Lifestyle

Tech

Music

Culture

Opinion

World

Travel

Tech

Books

Environment

Business and finance

Blogs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Schurrle made an excellent run to dart in behind centre-back and full-back and flick the ball into the bottom right-hand corner under pressure from Fauzi Ghoulam.

The Guardian - Sport

So you can flick through for an immersive news experience or turn straight to your favourite sections.

The Guardian

To test his claim, you only need to flick through any modern cocktail book to see just how many gin-based cocktails there are.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Kachunga's revenge": not the new Quentin Tarantino flick but Bild's lovely take on the Paderborn striker's goal against Hertha.

The Guardian - Sport

Beckham's crime, if you do need reminding, was to give Diego Simeone a light flick on the calf in retaliation for being flattened during a World Cup game with Argentina.

The Guardian - Sport

Just as everyone remembers Saturday Night Fever as a fun-time dance flick, when it was actually one of the single most depressing things ever committed to film, 2012's Magic Mike is nowhere near as sexy as people imagine.

The Guardian - Film

"What we had last night from the federal government was a flick pass … you cannot outsource your problems to the states … that's not good enough, the people of NSW want to know we will stand up for them and that is exactly what we will do," Baird said.

The Guardian

The cross was slightly behind Welbeck but the striker anticipated it brilliantly, spinning his body and scoring with a wonderfully-taken flick.

The Guardian - Sport

To flick quickly through the pages in the dangerous area and catch a tiny fearful glimpse.

The Guardian - Books

It seems as if Tarantino is again taking a serious issue and shooting it like a breezy genre flick.

The Guardian - Film

Reservoir Dogs was essentially a heist movie (without a heist), Pulp Fiction a gangster flick, Jackie Brown a blaxploitation flick with an edge of noir, Kill Bill a martial arts double header and Death Proof a slasher movie.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flick" sparingly in formal writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "tap", "brush", or "swipe" depending on the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "flick" when a more forceful or deliberate action is intended. For example, "He flicked the door open" might be misleading if the door required significant effort to open; "pushed" or "shoved" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The word "flick" functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it denotes a quick, light motion. As a noun, it refers to that same motion or, informally, a movie. Ludwig AI examples illustrate these usages effectively, affirming its versatility in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Film

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Tech

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flick" is a versatile word, functioning as both a verb and a noun, with meanings ranging from a quick, light motion to an informal term for a movie. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its formality varies depending on the context, with neutral usage in descriptions of physical actions and informal usage when referring to films. When selecting "flick", be mindful of the intended meaning and desired level of formality to ensure clear and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick tap

Replaces the action with a focus on the brief contact made.

light stroke

Emphasizes the gentle nature of the movement.

brief touch

Highlights the momentary contact involved.

sudden movement

Focuses on the abruptness of the action.

small gesture

Replaces the action with a focus on it being a motion.

gentle nudge

Highlights the soft, directional push.

swift brush

Emphasizes the speed and lightness of the contact.

slight movement

Generalizes the action to any small motion.

impulsive motion

Focuses on the unplanned nature of the movement.

little push

Replaces the action with a focus on it being a shove.

FAQs

How can I use "flick" in a sentence?

You can use "flick" as a verb, meaning to move or hit something with a quick, light motion, such as, "She "flicked the dust off the table"". As a noun, it refers to a quick, light movement, like, "With a "flick of the wrist", he opened the bottle".

What are some synonyms for "flick"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "flick" can include "tap", "brush", "swipe", "twitch", or "snap". As a noun referring to a movie, synonyms include "film", "movie", and "picture".

Is it correct to use "flick" to describe a movie?

Yes, "flick" is an informal term for a movie, especially in American English. For example, "That was a great "action flick"!"

What's the difference between "flick" and "twitch"?

"Flick" generally implies a quick, light motion initiated intentionally, whereas "twitch" often suggests an involuntary, rapid muscle movement. For example, you might "flick" a switch, but your eye might "twitch" due to fatigue.