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flash

flash

57 3.9
A sudden short feeling or idea that comes quickly
  • noun
  • /flæʃ/
translation icon : destello
  • As for us, we can only remember flashes, but... we remember enough.
  • a flash of insight
  • a flash of genius

And it was it was a very, very, I think it's like a flash before my eyes while I'm dying moment.

Examples

  • Learning by discovery can create flashes of insight and illumination.

    Academic text (2004)
  • In a flash, she understood the complicated math problem that had baffled her for hours.

  • I saw a flash of his face.

  • I had a sort of flash of what you've been missing.

  • We'll live parallel to each other, she thinks to herself in a sudden flash of insight.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Hundreds of images from Jacob's life flash before us: his birth, his childhood, his adulthood.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Nynaeve opened her mouth, and Egwene felt a flash of anger; it was such a relief after fear.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • As I read the poem, a flash of inspiration struck me, and I quickly jotted down my thoughts.

  • He had a sudden flash of realization when he recognized the importance of his decision.

Synonyms

spark
vsflash
91 3.2

A small sign of a feeling that may grow

is a single sudden moment rather than just a small beginning
burst
vsflash
57 3.5

A short, strong period of activity or feeling

is briefer and often about a momentary insight or sensation
flicker
vsflash
41 3.9

A brief unsteady flash of light, movement, or feeling

is a clearer sudden feeling or moment of understanding rather than unsteady
flare
vsflash
39 3.7

A sudden bright light or flame that appears briefly

is used more for a sudden inner feeling or quick insight
blink of an eye
vsflash
  • Informal
35 2.8

A very short moment that passes almost instantly

stresses a sudden brief feeling or moment of understanding instead of time
spurt
vsflash
14 3.2

A short sudden increase in activity, speed or growth

focuses more on a sudden inner feeling or brief understanding
twinkling
vsflash
8 2.5

A very short moment of time

highlights a sudden feeling or insight rather than only time length
rush of energy
vsflash
1 4.1

A sudden strong feeling that makes you active and excited

is usually shorter and can be an instant of insight or sensation
3.5

A small first feeling that makes you want to know more

is a one-off sudden feeling or understanding rather than ongoing interest

Antonyms

389 1.8

A time when things are not organized and people do not know what to think or do

Idioms

in a flash
  • Informal
35 2.5

Very quickly in a single moment

flash in the pan
  • Informal
4 7.2

A person or thing that has a short time of success and then people forget them

quick as a flash
  • Informal
1 2.0

Happen very fast

Compounds

hot flash
  • Specialized
20 5.1

A sudden hot feeling and heavy sweating that often happens during menopause

15 3.7

A sudden rise of water that covers land after heavy rain

9 1.7

A small paper card with words or pictures shown quickly to help you learn

flash mob
  • Texting
9 4.6

A group of people who suddenly gather in public to perform a planned unusual act and then leave

3 7.7

A time when a situation can suddenly become violent or very dangerous

flash memory
  • Specialized
3 4.2

An electronic chip that stores data even when the power is off

2 2.2

A short bright light that brightens a scene when you take a photo

flash bulb
  • Archaic
1 3.5

A small lamp that gives a very bright short light for taking photos

flash-forward
  • Literature
1 7.5

A scene in a book or film that jumps ahead to show events in the future

1 3.0

A camera with a built-in light to brighten people or things in low light

flash point
  • Specialized
1 7.5

The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to catch fire in air

flash-frozen
  • Specialized
1 4.1

Frozen very quickly to keep flavor and nutrients

flash butt welding
  • Specialized
8.9

A process that joins two metal pieces by melting their ends with electricity, often used for rails or pipes

flash lamp
  • Archaic
4.6

A small device that makes a short bright light for taking photos

flash welding
  • Specialized
7.1

To join two metal pieces by heating their ends with electricity until they melt and pushing them together

heat flash
  • Specialized
7.6

A very short, strong burst of heat from an explosion that can burn things nearby

shoulder flash
  • Specialized
6.8

A cloth badge worn on the shoulder of a military uniform that shows a soldier's unit

How Intense

epiphany
52 6.6
insight
493 4.9
flash
57 3.9
spark
91 3.2
glimmer
39 5.0

Surface Forms

flash singular
flashes plural

Etymology

Flash for a sudden feeling or idea uses the same image of a quick bright moment, so a flash of inspiration or anger is a very short, strong feeling. That's why a flash of thought comes and goes almost at once.