FLAKY (flakier, flakiest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: flakier    , flakiest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does flaky mean? 

• FLAKY (adjective)
  The adjective FLAKY has 3 senses:

1. made of or resembling flakes

2. made of or easily forming flakes

3. conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

  Familiarity information: FLAKY used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FLAKY (adjective)

Comparative: flakier   
Superlative: flakiest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Made of or resembling flakes

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

flakey; flaky

Context example:

flaky soap

Pertainym:

flake (a small fragment of something broken off from the whole)

Derivation:

flake (a small fragment of something broken off from the whole)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Made of or easily forming flakes

Synonyms:

flakey; flaky

Similar:

tender (easy to cut or chew)

Derivation:

flakiness (having or breaking into thin crisp flakes)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

Synonyms:

bizarre; eccentric; flakey; flaky; freakish; freaky; gonzo; off-the-wall; outlandish; outre

Context example:

outre and affected stage antics

Similar:

unconventional (not conventional or conformist)

Derivation:

flakiness (informal terms for insanity)

 Context examples 

The skin subsequently becomes dry, flaky and hyperkeratotic.

(Ichthyosis Bullosa of Siemens, NCI Thesaurus)

A disorder characterized by flaky and dull skin; the pores are generally fine, the texture is a papery thin texture.

(Dry Skin, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)

There, sure enough, I perceived a number of flaky ashes, and round the edges a fringe of brownish powder, which had not yet been consumed.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Usually flaky and dull looking.

(Dry Skin, NCI Thesaurus)