flak

noun

ˈflak 

variants or less commonly flack

plural flak also flack

1

: antiaircraft guns

2

: the bursting shells fired from flak

3

: criticism, opposition

She has taken a good deal of flak for espousing that view.

—E. J. Kahn, Jr.

When I was a restaurant bar manager I sometimes found myself taking flak from my customers for our high prices …

—Rob Hill

Examples of flak in a Sentence

He caught heavy flak for his decision to oppose the new school.

He took a lot of flak from the other kids for his unusual appearance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Roseanne Barr definitely got more flak for her 1990 rendition. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 16 July 2024

Rotation reinforcements right on track Mozeliak caught flak from fans for his rotation blueprint. —Katie Woo, The Athletic, 15 July 2024

The post has since received flak from some Facebook members who allege Goodyear police are hiding the truth of the incident. —Karen Bartunek, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2024

My previous stories at Forbes.com also have shown that Gen Z are getting flak for their inability to collaborate and communicate, and hiring managers say Gen Zers are the worst to work with and manage. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

German, from Fliegerabwehrkanonen, from Flieger flyer + Abwehr defense + Kanonen cannons

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flak

• flak jacket

Kids Definition

flak

noun

variants also flack

ˈflak

plural flak also flack

1

: antiaircraft guns or the bursting shells fired from them

2

: severe criticism

Etymology

derived from the German word for "antiaircraft guns," from the first letters of Flieger "flier" and Abwehr "defense" and Kanonen "cannons"