flack and flak are homophones: they are pronounced identically and spelled differently, which is why they are so often swapped. flack means “a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer”. flak means “a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer”.
/ˈflæk/
1.n.a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer
2.n.intense adverse criticism
“Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party”
3.n.artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes
/ˈflæk/
| flack | flak | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈflæk/ | /ˈflæk/ |
| Said | flak | flak |
| Syllables | 1 | 1 |
| Letters | 5 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | noun | noun |
| Senses | 3 | 3 |
| How common | Familiar | Familiar |
| Synonyms | flak catcher, flak, flack catcher | flak catcher, flack catcher, flack |
Full entry for flack · Full entry for flak · More comparisons
1.n.a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer
2.n.intense adverse criticism
“Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party”
3.n.artillery designed to shoot upward at airplanes