Flushed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ณ
Add to dictionary

flushed

[flสŒสƒt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

feeling hot, red, and uncomfortable, especially because you are embarrassed or angry

Synonyms

blushing, red-faced, rosy-cheeked.

Examples of usage

  • She felt flushed with anger.
  • Her face was flushed with embarrassment.
  • His cheeks were flushed with excitement.
Context #2 | Adjective

appearance

having a red or pink color

Synonyms

pink, reddish, rosy.

Examples of usage

  • The flushed cheeks of a child in the cold.
  • The sky turned flushed as the sun set.
Context #3 | Verb

to cleanse

to cleanse or wash out a bodily organ or wound with a sudden flow of water or other liquid

Synonyms

cleanse, rinse, wash out.

Examples of usage

  • She flushed the wound with antiseptic.
  • The doctor flushed the patient's sinuses.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling flushed can be a natural response to emotions like embarrassment, excitement, or anxiety, linked to the body's fight or flight response.
  • Physiologically, when someone is embarrassed, adrenaline can cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in a red face.
  • Studies show that humans can often read emotional states through facial color changes, including flushing from embarrassment.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, blushing is seen as a sign of innocence or vulnerability, making it endearing and relatable.
  • Literature often uses flushed faces to signify a characterโ€™s emotional transformation, emphasizing moments of honesty or shame.
  • In some contexts, a flushed face can indicate passion or excitement, making it a symbol in romantic interactions.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often depict characters flushing in funny or awkward situations, heightening comedic relief.
  • Television series frequently feature the flushed character trope to portray someone who is overwhelmed by emotion or attraction.
  • Social media often uses emojis to express a 'flushed' face, making it a popular symbol for embarrassment or coyness.

Health

  • Many medical conditions can cause a flushed appearance, such as rosacea, which affects the skin's blood vessels.
  • Certain foods, like spicy dishes or alcohol, may trigger flushing in some individuals due to increased blood circulation.
  • Flushing can also indicate an allergic reaction in some people, serving as a critical signal to seek medical attention.

Origin of 'flushed'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'flushed' comes from the Middle English 'flushe', which means to flow or to bloom.
  • Originally, 'flush' referred to something that was eager and bright, increasing its use to describe color changes in the face.
  • In the 14th century, flushed also meant 'to become liquid', tying it back to emotions that can make you feel warm.

The word 'flushed' originated from the Middle English word 'flusshen', which means to fly out, gush forth. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the sense of rushing or flooding with liquid. The adjective form of 'flushed' developed to describe the redness that appears on the face when one is embarrassed or angry. This word has been in use for centuries to depict a sudden flow or a reddish color.


See also: flush, flushing.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,562 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.