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Flakes: meaning, definitions and examples

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flakes

 

[ fleɪks ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

food item

Flakes are small, thin pieces of material that can easily break off from a larger substance. In culinary contexts, the term often refers to components like cereals or breakfast foods, where the product is made up of small, crisp pieces. Flakes can also denote layers that have broken away from a surface, such as paint or skin. This term is commonly used in several food products, especially in reference to breakfast cereals, snacks, and toppings.

Synonyms

crumbs, pieces, shards

Examples of usage

  • I enjoy eating corn flakes for breakfast.
  • She sprinkled chocolate flakes on her dessert.
  • The snowflakes began to fall softly from the sky.
  • He bought a box of fish flakes for his aquarium.
  • The cookie recipe calls for coconut flakes.
Context #2 | Noun

cosmetic

In cosmetics, flakes often refer to small pieces of shimmer or glitter that can be applied to the skin to enhance appearance. Makeup products can contain glitter flakes that reflect light, giving a sparkling effect. These flakes can vary in size and color, allowing for a versatile application to achieve different looks, especially in festive or artistic makeup styles.

Synonyms

glitter, shimmer, sparkle

Examples of usage

  • She used glitter flakes to enhance her eye makeup.
  • The festival makeup included colorful shimmer flakes.
  • He prefers using gold flakes for a classy look.

Translations

Translations of the word "flakes" in other languages:

🇵🇹 flocos

🇮🇳 पत्ते

🇩🇪 Flocken

🇮🇩 serpihan

🇺🇦 пластівці

🇵🇱 płatki

🇯🇵 フレーク

🇫🇷 flocons

🇪🇸 copos

🇹🇷 pul

🇰🇷 조각

🇸🇦 رقائق

🇨🇿 vločky

🇸🇰 pľúca

🇨🇳 片

🇸🇮 kosmi

🇮🇸 flög

🇰🇿 тұздық

🇬🇪 ფანტელები

🇦🇿 tükən

🇲🇽 copos

Word origin

The term 'flakes' originates from the Old Norse word 'fleik', which means a splinter or thin piece. This was influenced further by Middle English and has evolved over the centuries to encompass various meanings. Initially used to describe small, thin pieces in general, the term found its way into culinary language to describe breakfast cereals, which often consist of thin crisp layers. The connection to food became prominent with the rise of processed grains and cereals in the 19th century. Over time, the concept of flakes also expanded into other domains, such as beauty and crafts, where the term is used similarly to describe thin, lightweight segments that have a visually appealing texture. The adaptability of the word has allowed it to remain relevant in contemporary language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,233, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.