flaky

or flak·ey

[ fley-kee ]

adjective

, flak·i·er, flak·i·est.

1. of or like flakes.
2. lying or cleaving off in flakes or layers.
3. Slang. eccentric; wacky; dizzy:

   a flaky math professor.

flaky

/ ˈfleɪkɪ /

adjective

1. like or made of flakes
2. tending to peel off or break easily into flakes
3. slang.
   Alsoflakey eccentric; crazy

Derived Forms

• ˈflakiness, noun
• ˈflakily, adverb

Other Words From

• flaki·ly adverb
• flaki·ness noun
• non·flaki·ly adverb
• non·flaki·ly·ness noun
• non·flaky adjective
• un·flaky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flaky¹

First recorded in 1570–80; 1965–70 flaky fordef 3; flake ¹ + -y ¹; sense of flaky def 3 probably flake ⁴ + -y ¹, though influenced by flake ¹

Example Sentences

The fish could not be simpler to prepare: Seasoned with nothing more than salt and pepper and cooked in a buttery bath of white wine, it comes out of the oven deliciously moist and flaky.

From Salon

"Today’s young women know that neurotic isn’t cute. Cute isn’t cute. Neither is flustered, madcap, zany, flighty, flaky, harried or hapless - all adjectives that apply to Bridget."

From BBC

The whole red snapper was super flavorful and flaky, the steak was perfectly cooked, and the cocktails were really great, too.

From Salon

But the shape serves a purpose beyond aesthetics: It amplifies the irresistible contrast between the crunch of the crust and the tenderness of the filling by increasing the surface area of the flaky, golden, olive oil-varnished phyllo that encases the herbaceous greens.

From Seattle Times

For excellent coffee with a side of buttery, flaky hand pies there is New Love Coffee, with locations in nearby Liberty Lake as well as in Kendall Yards and North Spokane.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• crazy
• eccentric
• goofy
• nutty
• odd
• unconventional
• wacky
• whacky