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Flashes Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’ฅ
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flashes

[หˆflรฆสƒษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

light

A sudden brief burst of bright light or flame.

Synonyms

flare, glow, spark.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
flashes

Used to describe sudden bursts of light or sudden moments of intense activity. Often used in photography or to describe quick changes in visual scenes.

  • The camera flashes were blinding
  • There were lightning flashes across the sky
spark

Refers to a small, fiery particle or a brief, intense moment of activity, creativity, or emotion. Can also be used metaphorically to describe the start of something.

  • A spark of inspiration hit him
  • The fire started with just a small spark
glow

Describes a steady light, often soft and warm. Can also describe a feeling of warmth and happiness.

  • The candles gave off a warm glow
  • She had a glow of satisfaction on her face
flare

Often used to describe something that burns or blazes up suddenly and brightly. It can also refer to an intense burst of emotion or a signal light.

  • The match flared up in the darkness
  • Tempers began to flare during the heated argument

Examples of usage

  • The flashes of lightning lit up the sky.
  • She saw a flash of light out of the corner of her eye.
Context #2 | Verb

memory

Remember or cause to remember (an event or a person) suddenly and unexpectedly.

Synonyms

bring to mind, recall, recollect.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
flashes

Used to describe sudden, brief appearances of memories or thoughts, often coming and going quickly.

  • Images of our trip to Paris flashed in and out of my mind
  • She had flashes of her childhood home
recall

Used for actively bringing a memory or thought to consciousness, often with effort.

  • I tried hard to recall the name of that restaurant
  • Can you recall what happened last night?
recollect

Used for remembering something from the past, often with some formality or effort. It can also imply a more detailed and complete memory.

  • I donโ€™t recollect the exact details of the conversation
  • She could clearly recollect the events of that day
bring to mind

Used when something reminds you of a memory or thought, often through association or similarity.

  • The smell of fresh bread brings to mind my grandmother's kitchen
  • This song brings to mind our high school days

Examples of usage

  • The smell of the cookies flashed her back to her childhood.
  • His face flashed in her mind as she heard the news.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Flashes of light can occur in nature, like during thunderstorms when lightning creates bright flashes in the sky.
  • In astronomy, 'flashes' can refer to brief bursts of gamma rays, which are one of the brightest known explosions in the universe.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, 'flashbacks' are quick scenes that bring back memories, making the story exciting and revealing.
  • Comic book heroes like 'The Flash' are often associated with speed, representing how fast a person can move, similar to how quickly a flash occurs.

Technology

  • Flashes are integral in photography, where a camera's flash helps capture events in low light by providing a burst of brightness.
  • During digital communications, 'flashes' can refer to short visual notifications, like alerted messages that quickly catch your attention.

Literature

  • Writers often use 'flashes of insight' to describe sudden moments of understanding or creativity that can lead to breakthroughs in storytelling.
  • In poetry, a 'flash' may evoke strong emotions through concise, powerful imagery, leading readers to vivid mental pictures.

Origin of 'flashes'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'flashes' comes from the Old English 'flaesc,' which means to shine or glitter.
  • Related forms in different languages, like 'flash' in German and 'flasher' in French, share similar meanings suggesting brightness.

The word 'flashes' originated from the Middle English word 'flaschen' which meant to splash or dash. Over time, the meaning evolved to include sudden bursts of light or memory. The use of 'flashes' to describe bright light dates back to the 16th century, while its use in relation to memory recall became more common in the 20th century.

See also: flash, flashback, flashily, flashiness, flashing, flashlight, flashy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,480, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.