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Definition of flashy

flashy

/ˈflæʃ.i/
flash · y
Adverb:flashily
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flashy Lexical Profile

flashy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Ostentatiously attractive or impressive in a way that draws immediate attention, often perceived as lacking good taste or substance.

Example

"He arrived at the quiet neighborhood gathering driving a flashy red sports car."

2

Momentarily brilliant or impressive in performance or skill, though sometimes lacking consistency.

Example

"The rookie point guard is known for his flashy passes, even if they occasionally result in turnovers."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for flashy
Antonyms
View all antonyms for flashy

• Rhymes for flashy

• Nearby Words

flashlightfish
flashmob
flashpoint
flashy
flask
flat
flat lizard

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 16th century, formed from the English noun and verb "flash" (originally meaning to splash or dash water, likely of imitative origin) combined with the adjectival suffix "-y." The sense shifted from describing something transient or superficial to meaning ostentatiously showy by the 18th century.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Flashy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/flashy
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