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Flinty: meaning, definitions and examples

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flinty

 

[ ˈflin(t)ē ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

character trait

Flinty describes someone who is stern, unyielding, or unsympathetic. It often refers to a person's demeanor or attitude, suggesting a hardness that can be likened to flint, a hard type of stone. When someone is described as flinty, they may be perceived as emotionally distant or harshly practical. This term can also relate to behavior that lacks warmth or compassion.

Synonyms

callous, cold, hard, stern, unyielding

Examples of usage

  • Her flinty gaze made it clear she would not back down.
  • Despite his flinty exterior, he had a soft spot for animals.
  • The flinty remarks during the meeting left everyone in shock.

Translations

Translations of the word "flinty" in other languages:

🇵🇹 duro como pedernal

🇮🇳 चट्टानी

🇩🇪 hart

🇮🇩 keras

🇺🇦 кам'яний

🇵🇱 kamienny

🇯🇵 石のような

🇫🇷 dur

🇪🇸 duro

🇹🇷 sert

🇰🇷 돌 같은

🇸🇦 صلب

🇨🇿 tvrdý

🇸🇰 tvrdý

🇨🇳 坚硬的

🇸🇮 trd

🇮🇸 harður

🇰🇿 тас сияқты

🇬🇪 კამიერი

🇦🇿 daş kimi

🇲🇽 duro

Word origin

The word 'flinty' originates from the mid-14th century, derived from the Old English word 'flinta,' which refers to the hard rock flint. Flint has been used historically to create tools and weapons due to its sharp edges when fractured. As a descriptive term, 'flinty' began to be used metaphorically to describe individuals whose personalities show a similar hardness or unyielding nature. The transition from a physical descriptor to a character trait reflects the tendency of language to adapt and expand based on cultural associations with materials. By the 19th century, the word became more commonly associated with personality traits, suggesting an emotional distance akin to the unyielding nature of the stone itself.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,966, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.