flash

flashverb

To flash is to shine, show, or move for a very short time, often suddenly.

1. shineshine brightly for a very short time, or shine on and off

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • Lightning flashed across the sky. V + adv/prep
   • A red light was flashing on the machine. V + adv/prep
   • The screen flashed twice and went dark.

   Collocations

   noun + verb lightning flashes, lights flash

   adverb + verb flash brightly, flash on and off

   Compare shine

2. use a lightmake a light shine suddenly, or on and off

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • The driver behind me flashed his lights. V + obj
   • Someone flashed a light in my face. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun flash your lights, flash a light, flash a signal

3. show quicklyshow something to someone for a very short time

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • She flashed her ticket at the guard. V + obj + prep + obj
   • He flashed me a smile. V + obj + obj
   • The officer flashed his card and walked in. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun flash a smile, flash a card, flash a ticket

4. appear quicklyappear for a short time on a screen or in your mind

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • A message flashed up on the screen. V + adv/prep
   • A terrible thought flashed through my mind. V + adv/prep
   • Pictures from her childhood flashed before her eyes. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   verb + preposition flash through your mind, flash into your mind, flash up on the screen

5. move fastmove or pass very quickly

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • A car flashed past us. V + adv/prep
   • The weeks flashed by. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   verb + adverb flash past, flash by

6. show bodysuddenly show the private parts of your body to someone in public

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] informal

   • A man was arrested for flashing people in the park. V + obj
   • Police are looking for a man who has been flashing near the station.

   Collocations

   verb + noun flash someone