Flash vs. Dash: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 11, 2023
"Flash" refers to a sudden burst of light or display, while "Dash" can denote a quick run or a small amount of an ingredient.
Key Differences
Both Flash and Dash are short, punchy words in English, but their meanings diverge significantly. "Flash" commonly pertains to a quick burst of light or brief appearance of something, reminiscent of the fleeting shine from a camera or lightning. Conversely, "Dash" can describe a swift movement, similar to a short sprint, or a sprinkling of something, as in ingredients.
Digging into their etymology, Flash harkens back to old concepts of bursting or splashing, mirroring its present-day association with suddenness and brightness. "Dash," however, finds its roots in notions of striking or smashing, evoking its modern-day link to vigorous actions or sprinklings.
In technology, Flash might remind one of Adobe Flash, the multimedia software platform, or the flash memory used in USB drives. On the other hand, Dash doesn't have as direct a technological association but can refer to a dash-cam, a camera mounted in vehicles.
Grammatically, both Flash and Dash can serve as nouns or verbs. For example, "a flash of inspiration" or "to flash a smile." Similarly, "a dash to the store" or "to dash someone's hopes."
Colloquially, Flash has taken on the meaning of something showy but lacking substance, as in "all flash and no substance." "Dash," meanwhile, can be a descriptor for style and confidence, as in "he has a certain dash about him."
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Sudden burst of light
Quick run or small amount
Etymology
Concepts of bursting or splashing
Notions of striking or smashing
Use in Technology
Adobe Flash, flash memory
Dash-cam
Grammatical Role
Can be both noun and verb
Can be both noun and verb
Colloquial Usage
Something showy without substance
Descriptor for style and confidence
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Flash and Dash Definitions
Flash
Showy but lacking substance.
His promises were all flash with no follow-through.
Dash
A quick run.
He made a dash for the exit.
Flash
A rapid transmission of data in computing.
The flash drive stored all my documents.
Dash
A small quantity of an ingredient.
Add a dash of salt to the recipe.
Flash
To burst forth into or as if into flame.
Dash
A horizontal punctuation mark.
The sentence was broken up with a dash.
Flash
To give off light or be lighted in sudden or intermittent bursts.
Dash
Vigor and confidence in style and action.
His performance had a particular dash to it.
Flash
To appear or occur suddenly
The image flashed onto the screen.
Dash
To move with haste; rush
Dashed into the room.
Dashed down the hall.
Flash
To move or proceed rapidly
The cars flashed by.
Dash
To strike violently; smash
Waves dashing on the rocks.
Flash
To hang up a phone line momentarily, as when using call waiting.
Dash
To break or smash by striking violently
The ship was dashed upon the rocks.
Flash
(Slang) To think of or remember something suddenly
Flashed on that time we got caught in the storm.
Dash
To hurl, knock, or thrust with sudden violence
Dashed the cup against the wall.
Flash
(Slang) To expose oneself in an indecent manner.
Dash
To remove by striking or wiping
Dash tears from one's face.
Flash
To cause (light) to appear suddenly or in intermittent bursts.
Dash
To splash; bespatter
Dash water on one's face.
Flash
To cause to burst into flame.
Dash
To write hastily. Often used with off
Dashed off a note to the dean.
Flash
To reflect (light).
Dash
To drink hastily. Often used with down
Dashed down a glass of milk.
Flash
To cause to reflect light from (a surface).
Dash
To add an enlivening or altering element to
A speech dashed with humor.
Flash
To make known or signal by flashing lights.
Dash
To affect by adding another element or ingredient to
Ice cream that was dashed with rum.
Flash
To communicate or display at great speed
Flashed the news to the world capitals.
Dash
To destroy or wreck
Our hopes were dashed by the news.
Flash
To exhibit briefly.
Dash
To discourage or dispirit
"This discouraging information a little dashed the child" (Charles Dickens).
Flash
To hang up (a phone line) momentarily, as when using call waiting.
Dash
To damn.
Flash
To display ostentatiously; flaunt.
Dash
A swift, violent blow or stroke
Knocked the books to the floor with an impatient dash of his hand.
Flash
To fill suddenly with water.
Dash
A splash
Threw a dash of water on my face.
Flash
To cover with a thin protective layer.
Dash
A small amount of an added ingredient
A dash of sherry.
Flash
A sudden, brief, intense display of light.
Dash
A quick stroke, as with a pencil or brush.
Flash
A sudden perception
A flash of insight.
Dash
A sudden movement; a rush
Made a dash for the exit.
Flash
A split second; an instant
I'll be on my way in a flash.
Dash
(Sports) A footrace, usually less than a quarter-mile long, run at top speed from the outset.
Flash
A brief news dispatch or transmission.
Dash
A spirited quality in action or style; verve.
Flash
(Slang) Gaudy or ostentatious display
"The antique flash and trash of an older southern California have given way to a sleeker age of cultural hip" (Newsweek).
Dash
Either of two symbols, an emdash or an endash, used in writing and in printing.
Flash
A flashlight.
Dash
In Morse and similar codes, the long sound or signal used in combination with the dot and silent intervals to represent letters or numbers.
Flash
Instantaneous illumination for photography
Photograph by flash.
Dash
A dashboard.
Flash
A device, such as a flashbulb, flashgun, or flash lamp, used to produce such illumination.
Dash
(typography) Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar).
Flash
(Slang) The pleasurable sensation that accompanies the use of a drug; a rush.
Dash
(computing) A hyphen or minus sign.
Flash
(Archaic) The language or cant of thieves, tramps, or underworld figures.
Dash
(by extension) The longer of the two symbols of Morse code.
Flash
Happening suddenly or very quickly
Flash freezing.
Dash
A short run, flight.
When the feds came they did the dash.
Flash
(Slang) Ostentatious; showy
A flash car.
Dash
A rushing or violent onset.
Flash
Of or relating to figures of quarterly economic growth released by the government and subject to later revision.
Dash
Violent strike; a whack.
Flash
Of or relating to photography using instantaneous illumination.
Dash
A small quantity of a liquid substance etc.; less than 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Add a dash of vinegar.
Flash
(Computers) Of or relating to flash memory.
Dash
A slight admixture.
There is a dash of craziness in his personality.
Flash
(Archaic) Of or relating to thieves, swindlers, and underworld figures.
Dash
Ostentatious vigor.
Aren't we full of dash this morning?
Flash
(transitive) To cause to shine briefly or intermittently.
He flashed the light at the water, trying to see what made the noise.
Dash
A dashboard.
Flash
(intransitive) To blink; to shine or illuminate intermittently.
The light flashed on and off.
Dash
A bribe or gratuity; a gift.
Flash
(intransitive) To be visible briefly.
The scenery flashed by quickly.
Dash
A stand-in for a censored word, like "Devil" or "damn". (Compare deuce.)
Flash
(transitive) To make visible briefly.
A number will be flashed on the screen.
The special agents flashed their badges as they entered the building.
She flashed me a smile from the car window.
Dash
The dashboard of a Tumblr user.
Flash
To expose one's intimate body part or piece of clothing, often momentarily. Contrast streak.
She flashed a vocalist at a rock concert.
Her skirt was so short that she flashed her underpants as she was getting out of her car.
Dash
(intransitive) To run quickly or for a short distance.
He dashed across the field.
Flash
(figurative) To break forth like a sudden flood of light; to show a momentary brilliance.
Dash
To leave or depart.
I have to dash now. See you soon.
Flash
To flaunt; to display in a showy manner.
He flashed a wad of hundred-dollar bills.
Dash
(transitive) To destroy by striking (against).
He dashed the bottle against the bar and turned about to fight.
Flash
To communicate quickly.
The news services flashed the news about the end of the war to all corners of the globe.
To flash a message along the telephone wires;
To flash conviction on the mind
Dash
(transitive) To throw violently.
The man was dashed from the vehicle during the accident.
Flash
To move, or cause to move, suddenly.
Flash forward to the present day.
Dash
To sprinkle; to splatter.
Flash
(transitive) To telephone a person, only allowing the phone to ring once, in order to request a call back.
Susan flashed Jessica, and then Jessica called her back, because Susan didn't have enough credit on her phone to make the call.
Dash
To mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality.
To dash wine with water
Flash
To evaporate suddenly. flash evaporation.}}
Dash
To ruin; to destroy.
Her hopes were dashed when she saw the damage.
Flash
To climb (a route) successfully on the first attempt.
Dash
(transitive) To dishearten; to sadden.
Her thoughts were dashed to melancholy.
Flash
To write to the memory of (an updatable component such as a BIOS chip or games cartridge).
In order to flash a custom ROM to a phone, the boot loader must be unlocked first.
Dash
To complete hastily.
He dashed down his eggs.
She dashed off her homework.
Flash
To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different colour.
Dash
(transitive) To draw or write quickly; jot.
Flash
To expand (blown glass) into a disc.
Dash
Damn in forming oaths.
Dash his impudence! Who is that scoundrel?
Flash
(transitive) To send by some startling or sudden means.
Dash
(euphemistic) Damn!
Flash
(intransitive) To burst out into violence.
Dash
To throw with violence or haste; to cause to strike violently or hastily; - often used with against.
If you dash a stone against a stone in the botton of the water, it maketh a sound.
Flash
(juggling) To perform a flash.
Dash
To break, as by throwing or by collision; to shatter; to crust; to frustrate; to ruin.
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
A brave vessel, . . . Dashed all to pieces.
To perplex and dashMaturest counsels.
Flash
(metallurgy) To release the pressure from a pressurized vessel.
Dash
To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to abash; to depress.
Dash the proud gamester in his gilded car.
Flash
To trick up in a showy manner.
Dash
To throw in or on in a rapid, careless manner; to mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality; to overspread partially; to bespatter; to touch here and there; as, to dash wine with water; to dash paint upon a picture.
I take care to dash the character with such particular circumstance as may prevent ill-natured applications.
The very source and fount of dayIs dashed with wandering isles of night.
Flash
To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash.
Dash
To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to execute rapidly, or with careless haste; - with off; as, to dash off a review or sermon.
Flash
A sudden, short, temporary burst of light.
Dash
To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out; - with out; as, to dash out a word.
Flash
A very short amount of time.
Dash
To rush with violence; to move impetuously; to strike violently; as, the waves dash upon rocks.
[He] dashed through thick and thin.
On each hand the gushing waters play,And down the rough cascade all dashing fall.
Flash
A flashlight; an electric torch.
Dash
Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash.
Flash
(figuratively) A sudden and brilliant burst, as of genius or wit.
Dash
A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash.
Flash
(uncountable) Pizzazz, razzle-dazzle.
Dash
A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a partial overspreading; as, wine with a dash of water; red with a dash of purple.
Innocence when it has in it a dash of folly.
Flash
Material left around the edge of a moulded part at the parting line of the mould.
Dash
A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a quick stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold dash at the enemy; a dash of rain.
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
Flash
The strips of bright cloth or buttons worn around the collars of market traders.
Dash
Energy in style or action; animation; spirit.
Flash
(juggling) A pattern where each prop is thrown and caught only once.
Dash
A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great dash.
Flash
(linguistics) A language, created by a minority to maintain cultural identity, that cannot be understood by the ruling class.
Dash
A mark or line [-], in writing or printing, denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition in a sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long or significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic turn of sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead of marks or parenthesis.
Flash
(photography) camera flash
Dash
The sign of staccato, a small mark [ ] denoting that the note over which it is placed is to be performed in a short, distinct manner.
Flash
(archaic) A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for colouring liquor to make it look stronger.
Dash
A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a race course; - used in horse racing, when a single trial constitutes the race.
Flash
(military) A form of military insignia.
I just got my first commando flash.
Dash
Distinctive and stylish elegance;
He wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer
Flash
Clipping of flash memory
The hybrid drive has 500 gigabytes of hard disk space for bulk storage and 2 gigabytes of high-speed flash for caching frequently-accessed files.
Dash
A quick run
Flash
Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the genera Artipe, Deudorix and Rapala.
Dash
A footrace run at top speed;
He is preparing for the 100-yard dash
Flash
A tattoo flash example design on paper to give an idea of a possible tattoo.
Dash
A punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text
Flash
The sudden sensation of being "high" after taking a recreational drug.
Dash
The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code
Flash
(dated) A newsflash.
Dash
The act of moving with great haste;
He made a dash for the door
Flash
A brief exposure or making visible (of a smile, badge, etc).
Dash
Run or move very quickly or hastily;
She dashed into the yard
Flash
The (intentional or unintentional) exposure of an intimate body part or undergarment in public.
Panty flash
Dash
Break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over;
Smash a plate
Flash
A pool.
Dash
Hurl or thrust violently;
He dashed the plate against the wall
Waves were dashing against the rock
Flash
(engineering) A reservoir and sluiceway beside a navigable stream, just above a shoal, so that the stream may pour in water as boats pass, and thus bear them over the shoal.
Dash
Destroy or break;
Dashed ambitions and hopes
Flash
Expensive-looking and demanding attention; stylish; showy.
Dash
Cause to lose courage;
Dashed by the refusal
Flash
Having plenty of ready money.
Dash
Add an enlivening or altering element to;
Blue paint dashed with white
Flash
Liable to show off expensive possessions or money.
Dash
To ruin or frustrate.
The news dashed her hopes for the event.
Flash
Occurring very rapidly, almost instantaneously.
Flash
Relating to thieves and vagabonds.
The flash language: thieves' cant or slang
Flash notes: counterfeit banknotes
Flash
To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powder flashed.
Flash
To break forth, as a sudden flood of light; to burst instantly and brightly on the sight; to show a momentary brilliancy; to come or pass like a flash.
Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch words of unnumbered struggles.
The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind.
A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in act.
Flash
To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily.
Every hourHe flashes into one gross crime or other.
Flash
To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with sudden flame or light.
The chariot of paternal Deity,Flashing thick flames.
Flash
To convey as by a flash; to light up, as by a sudden flame or light; as, to flash a message along the wires; to flash conviction on the mind.
Flash
To trick up in a showy manner.
Limning and flashing it with various dyes.
Flash
To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash.
He rudely flashed the waves about.
Flash
A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning.
Flash
A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show.
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind.
No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy.
Flash
The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period.
The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
Flash
A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors.
Flash
A lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph; as, to take a picture without a flash.
Flash
Same as flashlight.
Flash
A short news item providing recently received and usually preliminary information about an event that is considered important enough to interrupt normal broadcasting or other news delivery services; also called a news flash or bulletin.
Flash
Slang or cant of thieves and prostitutes.
Flash
A pool.
Flash
A reservoir and sluiceway beside a navigable stream, just above a shoal, so that the stream may pour in water as boats pass, and thus bear them over the shoal.
Flash
Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar; as, flash jewelry; flash finery.
Flash
Wearing showy, counterfeit ornaments; vulgarly pretentious; as, flash people; flash men or women; - applied especially to thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes that dress in a showy way and wear much cheap jewelry.
Flash
A sudden intense burst of radiant energy
Flash
A momentary brightness
Flash
A short vivid experience;
A flash of emotion swept over him
The flashings of pain were a warning
Flash
A sudden brilliant understanding;
He had a flash of intuition
Flash
A very short time (as the time it takes the eye blink or the heart to beat);
If I had the chance I'd do it in a flash
Flash
A burst of light used to communicate or illuminate
Flash
A short news announcement concerning some on-going news story
Flash
A bright patch of color used for decoration or identification;
Red flashes adorned the airplane
A flash sewn on his sleeve indicated the unit he belonged to
Flash
A lamp for providing momentary light to take a photograph
Flash
Gleam or glow intermittently;
The lights were flashing
Flash
Appear briefly;
The headlines flashed on the screen
Flash
Display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously;
He showed off his new sports car
Flash
Make known or cause to appear with great speed;
The latest intelligence is flashed to all command posts
Flash
Run or move very quickly or hastily;
She dashed into the yard
Flash
Expose or show briefly;
He flashed a $100 bill
Flash
Protect by covering with a thin sheet of metal;
Flash the roof
Flash
Emit a brief burst of light;
A shooting star flashed and was gone
Flash
Tastelessly showy;
A flash car
A flashy ring
Garish colors
A gaudy costume
Loud sport shirts
A meretricious yet stylish book
Tawdry ornaments
Flash
A sudden burst of light.
Lightning gave a brilliant flash across the sky.
Flash
A brief appearance or display.
She wore a flash of color on her wrist.
Flash
Instantaneous illumination for photography.
The camera's flash startled me.
FAQs
Do Flash and Dash have similar meanings?
No, "Flash" typically refers to light or display, while "Dash" implies speed or a small amount.
Can Flash also indicate something momentary?
Yes, like a "flash" of insight or emotion.
Are Flash drives named because of their speed?
They're named for flash memory, which can be quickly accessed and written to.
Could Dash refer to a style in writing?
Yes, it's a horizontal punctuation mark used in sentences.
Does Dash always mean a fast movement?
Not always, it can also mean a small quantity or a punctuation mark.
Is a Flash always bright?
Typically, but context matters. In some usages, it may not refer to brightness.
Can you Dash someone's spirits?
Yes, meaning to ruin or frustrate their spirits.
Can both Flash and Dash be used as verbs?
Yes, as in "to flash a light" or "to dash towards."
Can a recipe call for a Dash of something?
Yes, indicating a small amount of an ingredient.
Can a camera Flash be turned off?
Yes, most cameras allow you to disable the flash.
Is Adobe Flash still popular?
Adobe Flash was officially discontinued at the end of 2020.
How is Flash used in photography?
It provides instantaneous illumination for capturing photos in low light.
Can you describe someone as having Dash?
Yes, suggesting they have vigor and flair.
In a race, what's a Dash?
A short, quick race, like the 100-meter dash.
Can Dash describe someone's style?
Yes, suggesting confidence and flair.
Does Flash have applications in technology?
Yes, like Adobe Flash or flash memory.
What's the opposite of a Flash in duration?
Something prolonged or extended.
Does Flash only refer to visible light?
Mostly, but context matters. It might indicate something sudden or momentary.
Can Dash be used in literature?
Yes, both as a punctuation mark and to describe brisk movement or action.
Is Dash the same as hyphen?
No, they have different lengths and uses in punctuation.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
