flashes

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of flash.

   Several flashes of light appeared on the horizon during the storm.

   Sudden flashes of insight helped her finish the puzzle.

   Note

   The -sh ending takes -es, and that spelling adds a syllable: flash is one beat, flashes is two. The plural belongs to the countable meanings, such as flashes of light, flashes of wit or genius, and, in US colloquial speech, flashlights. The 'pizzazz' meaning is uncountable only. A performance can have flash, but it never has flashes in that sense.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present indicative of flash.

   The warning light flashes red whenever the engine overheats.

   Lightning flashes across the valley before the thunder reaches us.

   Note

   This form agrees with a singular subject in two different constructions. Without an object, something shines or appears briefly: the beacon flashes, a smile flashes across her face. With an object, someone shows a thing briefly: she flashes a badge, he flashes a grin. The informal 'expose oneself' meaning can take either pattern, so context decides. The spelling and the extra syllable match the plural noun.

   She flashes her badge at the guard and walks straight in.

   He flashes a quick grin before answering the question.

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