flashing

FLASH-ing/ˈflæʃɪŋ/

Pluralflashings (some meanings)

7 meanings of flashing

Practice

1
noununcountable
The quick, repeated switching of a light between on and off.
Like a star that seems to twinkle on and off in the night sky.
The flashing of the warning light made everyone nervous.
She couldn't sleep because of the flashing from the broken sign outside.
Similarblinking, flickering, winking, pulsing
2
verb
Present participle of flash. Use this form for something happening right now.
The warning lights are flashing on the dashboard.
He kept flashing his light to signal for help.
Note
3
noununcountable
Thin strips of metal that stop water from leaking in where a roof meets a wall or chimney.
Like the rubber seal around a window that keeps rain from slipping inside.
The roofer added flashing around the chimney to keep rain out.
Water got in because the flashing near the wall was damaged.
Note
4
noununcountable
Quickly showing your naked body to other people in public.
He was arrested for flashing in the park.
The flashing shocked the people waiting at the bus stop.
Similarexposure, exhibitionism
5
nouncountable or uncountable
A sudden burst of fire, light, or water.
Like fire suddenly bursting up in a bright flare.
The flashing of the explosion was visible for miles around.
A great flashing of water surged through the broken dam.
Similarflare, burst, blaze, surge
6
noununcountable
Moving products from the back of a shelf to the front so it looks full.
Like pulling the cookies to the front of the jar so it still looks full.
Staff did the flashing before the store opened.
The manager asked for flashing on every aisle so the shelves looked full.
Similarfacing, fronting, zoning
7
noununcountable
Adding a thin coat of shiny metal to a ring to make it sparkle for a while.
Like a fresh coat of paint that makes something look new for a while.
The jeweler offered flashing to bring back the ring's shine.
After a year, the flashing wore off and the ring looked dull again.
Similarplating, dipping
Note

flashing is a form of flash

flash, verb: To shine for a moment or on and off, or to make a light do that. Full entry

Forms: flashflashes he/she/itflashing -ing formflashed past tense, past participle
Spelling: flash → flashing: add -ing

Practice

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Origin

From "flash" plus "-ing." The weatherproofing sense comes from early flashing made of copper or aluminum that reflected flashes of sunlight.