Flickered

To flicker is to burn or shine unsteadily, wavering and fluctuating in intensity. It can describe a small, brief burst of light, a momentary flash, or a series of irregular movements, such as the movement of an image on a screen or a muscle twitching. Figuratively, it can refer to the fleeting appearance of an emotion, idea, or signal. The term often implies a lack of stability or a fragile state of existence, suggesting something transient or on the verge of disappearing entirely. This instability distinguishes a flickering light from a steady glow, and a flickering emotion from a constant feeling. The verb encapsulates the idea of something that is present, but with an inherent uncertainty of continuing to be so, highlighting a dynamic, almost tentative state. The flickering is sometimes associated with a subtle, weak and tremulous manner of expression.

Flickered meaning with examples

• The dying embers in the fireplace flickered, casting dancing shadows across the living room walls before finally fading into darkness. A faint light seemed to be all that was left of the once roaring fire. It served as a reminder of what was and the inevitable change that was to occur with the cessation of its flickering flames. We all felt as if we were staring into time itself.
• As the old projector struggled, images flickered on the screen, creating a disjointed viewing experience. It was hard to be patient with the broken machine, but as the flickering came, everyone seemed to find its presence to be rather nostalgic. Each scene barely held long enough for the viewer's eyes to adjust, a frustrating, yet compelling display of the moving pictures.
• A nervous smile flickered across her face when she saw him, betraying her true feelings of uncertainty. You couldn't hide this from a person who knew her, for it was always there for those who were familiar with her. It was evident that she was torn between excitement and apprehension, a subtle display of her internal conflict. It was a small moment of truth.
• The warning light on the dashboard flickered, indicating a potential engine problem that needed immediate attention. This caused the car to halt and the driver knew that he had to pull off of the freeway. As he pulled over and waited for the service to arrive, he could only contemplate the flickering of the light that was soon replaced by the sound of silence.