Meaning & use
flaking
Last updated
“flaking” is a form of “flake”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
coming off in small, thin pieces from a surface or from skin.
Grammar: Used without an object; often followed by 'off' or 'away'. For example, 'The paint is flaking off the wall.'
Patterns
- flaking off
- flaking away
The old paint on the windowsill is flaking badly.
His sunburned skin was flaking off in sheets.
The ceiling is flaking because of the damp.
verbtransitive or intransitive
breaking into small, thin pieces, especially of food.
Grammar: Can be used with an object (e.g., 'flaking the fish') or without (e.g., 'the fish is flaking').
Patterns
- flaking something
- flaking into pieces
She is flaking the cooked salmon with a fork.
The pastry is flaking into pieces as I cut it.
verbintransitiveinformalAmerican
failing to keep an appointment or promise, especially by not showing up.
Grammar: Used in informal American English, often followed by 'on' and a person. Example: 'He flaked on me again.'
Patterns
- flaking on someone
He kept flaking on our plans, so we stopped inviting him.
She is flaking on her promise to help.
Word forms
| base form | flake |
|---|---|
| third person singular | flakes |
| past tense | flaked |
| past participle | flaked |
| -ing form | flaking |
Common combinations
- flaking off
- The white paint is flaking off the old bench.
- flaking away
- The plaster is slowly flaking away from the wall.
- flaking skin
- The doctor noticed the flaking skin on his arms.
- flaking paint
- We need to scrape off the flaking paint before repainting.
Synonyms and how they differ
- peeling
- Similar to flaking, but peeling often refers to larger, more continuous strips coming off, while flaking is about small, thin pieces.
- scaling
- Used more for hard, plate-like pieces (like on a kettle), whereas flaking is softer and thinner.
- chipping
- Chipping suggests breaking off in small, often irregular chunks, not necessarily thin layers.
Word family
Commonly confused: flaking or flaking out?
flaking vs flaking out
This phrasal verb means losing consciousness or falling asleep from exhaustion, not coming off in pieces.
Practice
The old wooden door has been exposed to rain for years, and now the paint is ___.
Choose one answer.
'Flaking off' is the correct phrase for paint coming off in small pieces. 'Flaking out' means losing consciousness, and 'flaking up' and 'flaking in' are not standard phrases.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “flaking”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.