flicker
gb/flˈɪkɚ/ us/flˈɪkɚ/
B1
English
~ 2000
pislákol, villódzik, felvillan, átvillan, felvillanás, szikra
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[light] flickers
The candle flickered in the breeze.
A gyertya lángja pislákolt a szellőben.
A faint light flickered at the end of the tunnel.
Halvány fény pislákolt az alagút végén.
The streetlamp flickered before going out.
Her computer screen kept flickering during the storm.
Learner examples
The candle flickers when the wind blows.
A gyertya lángja pislákol, amikor fúj a szél.
The light flickers in the dark room.
A lámpa villódzik a sötét szobában.
The flame flickers and moves.
The TV screen flickers sometimes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'flicker' with 'flash'. 'Flash' is usually a single quick burst of light, while 'flicker' suggests repeated or continuous unsteady light.
Meaning
Shine with unsteady light
Collocations
candle flickers
|light flickers
|flame flickers
|screen flickers
Synonyms
flutter (Used for quick, irregular movements of light or shadow, but also applies to movement in general.)
|
waver (Emphasizes instability or unsteadiness, often in light or sound.)
Antonyms
shine steadily (Light that remains constant without variation.)
Themes
daily life
|nature
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To shine in a way that goes on and off quickly or is not steady.
To give off light that changes rapidly in brightness or appears unsteady.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[emotion/image/thought] flickers [across/through] [someone/something]
A smile flickered across his face.
Futó mosoly villant fel az arcán.
Doubt flickered in her eyes.
Kétely villant fel a szemében.
An image of his childhood home flickered in his mind.
Fear flickered across the crowd.
Learner examples
A smile flickered on her face.
Egy mosoly villant fel az arcán.
A thought flickered in my head.
Egy gondolat villant át a fejemben.
Fear flickered in his eyes.
A light of hope flickered in her heart.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'linger', which means to stay for a long time.
Meaning
Appear for a brief moment
Collocations
smile flickers
|thought flickers
|emotion flickers
Synonyms
flash (Can imply suddenness but not necessarily repetition.)
|
glimmer (Suggests a faint or weak appearance, often positive or hopeful.)
Antonyms
linger (To remain for a long time instead of appearing briefly.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be seen or felt for a very short time.
To appear or pass quickly and lightly, often for a very short time.
NOUN
B1
3
felvillanás
B2
szikra
B1
There was a flicker of light in the distance.
Egy fényfelvillanás látszott a távolban.
She felt a flicker of hope.
A remény halvány szikráját érezte magában.
A flicker of doubt crossed his mind.
I saw a flicker of recognition in her eyes.
Learner examples
I saw a flicker of light.
Láttam egy fényfelvillanást.
She had a flicker of hope.
Volt benne egy szikrányi remény.
He had a flicker of doubt.
There was a flicker in the dark.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'flicker' (a momentary sign) with 'spark' which can suggest initiation rather than instability.
Meaning
Brief unsteady flash or feeling
Collocations
a flicker of light
|a flicker of hope
|a flicker of doubt
Synonyms
glimmer (Often implies faintness and hopefulness.)
|
flash (Suggests suddenness but not necessarily faintness.)
Antonyms
steady glow (Continuous, unwavering light.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short and weak light, or a quick feeling or look.
A momentary or unsteady flash of light, or a brief expression of emotion or thought.
Grammar
Dictionary form
flicker
IPA
GB/flˈɪkɚ/
US/flˈɪkɚ/
Syllables & stress
flick - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (flick)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: flicker
Verb
- Base: flicker
- 3rd Person Singular: flickers
- Present Participle: flickering
- Past: flickered
Word family
Forms
flickers
verb
flickering
verb
flickered
verb
Related words
flick
verb B1
Expressions
flicker across someone's face
1/flˈɪkɚ əkɹˈɔs sˈʌmwˌʌnz fˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
Brief expression on face
To show quickly on someone's face before disappearing.
Examples
- A smile flickered across his face before he turned away.
- Surprise flickered across her face for just a moment.
flicker of hope
1/flˈɪkɚ əv hˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
Brief small feeling of hope
A short and small feeling that something good might happen.
Examples
- She felt a flicker of hope when she saw the rescue team.
- There was still a flicker of hope that he might recover.
without a flicker
1/wɪðˈaʊt ə flˈɪkɚ/
fixed phrase
No visible sign of emotion or reaction
Not showing any feeling or change in expression.
Examples
- He listened without a flicker as they told him the bad news.
- She watched without a flicker while the scene unfolded.