flak

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer
  2. noun intense adverse criticism
  3. noun artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes

Etymology

Borrowed from German FlaK, short for Fliegerabwehrkanone (“anti airplane cannon”).

Synonyms

flak catcher, flack catcher, flack

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading