Flakiness

Flakiness refers to the characteristic of being unreliable, inconsistent, or prone to unpredictable behavior, particularly in regard to commitments, promises, or the maintenance of a stable course of action. It suggests a lack of dependability and a tendency to break agreements, change plans without notice, or exhibit an erratic pattern of behavior. This instability can manifest in various contexts, including personal relationships, professional settings, and even the performance of technological systems. It implies a superficial understanding of commitments and a potential for easily changing one's mind or priorities, often leaving others feeling frustrated and uncertain about the future. The term also suggests an insubstantial or easily crumbling texture, applicable in both a literal and figurative sense, pointing to a fragility or lack of solidity.

Flakiness meaning with examples

• Her flakiness was legendary; she'd cancel plans at the last minute, often with vague excuses, leaving her friends constantly on edge about whether she'd actually show up. This chronic inconsistency damaged her relationships. People couldn't trust her promises. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy, further eroding the friendships.
• The software's flakiness was a major concern for the project team. Constant crashes, intermittent errors, and unpredictable performance made it difficult to rely on, significantly delaying development. This lack of stability and predictable function made testing and debugging unnecessarily complex and increased user frustration.
• His flakiness as a contractor led to project delays and cost overruns. He’d often miss deadlines or provide incomplete work, claiming unexpected setbacks. The client struggled with the unreliable timeline and quality. The flakiness undermined the projects overall success, and ultimately ended the business arrangement.
• The comedian’s flakiness extended to his act. He'd arrive late, forget jokes, and frequently change his routine mid-performance. This unpredictability, whilst perhaps exciting to a few, failed to connect with the audience, and often led to an underwhelming reception. His career, as a result, stagnated.