flake

A small, thin, flat piece of something, often one that has broken away from a larger piece.

• A flake of snow landed on her nose.
• He sprinkled chocolate flakes over the cake.
• Small flakes of dry skin came away when she brushed her arm.

How to use it: a flake of something (A flake of paint fell onto my hand.)

Similar words: chip, sliver

Common phrases: a falling flake, a flake of paint, a tiny flake, a flake of rust

A person who often forgets plans, changes their mind, or fails to do what they promised.

• He's a flake who never arrives on time.
• Don't rely on her; she's a total flake.
• My last two roommates were flakes who forgot to pay rent.

Similar words: flaky person

Common phrases: a total flake, such a flake, a complete flake

To come off in small, thin pieces, or make something break into such pieces.

• The paint is starting to flake.
• Dry skin flaked off his hands.
• Flake the cooked fish with a fork.

How to use it: flake off something (Old paint was flaking off the door.)

Similar words: peel, chip

Common phrases: flake off, flake away, flake the fish

To fail to do something you promised, especially by cancelling plans or not appearing.

• She promised to help but flaked.
• Please don't flake on me again.
• He keeps flaking on our weekend plans.

How to use it: flake on someone/something (He flaked on me just before our trip.)

Similar words: bail, back out

Common phrases: flake on someone, flake on plans, flake again

To spread fish on a raised frame so they can dry.

• The workers flaked the fish to dry.
• They flaked salted cod on wooden frames by the shore.
• Families once flaked fish outdoors during fine weather.

Common phrases: flake the fish, flake salted cod, flake fish outdoors