Flakey

Flakey is an adjective that has two main senses in English. In cooking and materials, flakey (often spelled flaky) describes something that has thin, delicate layers that break off easily, such as certain pastries or flaky paint. The term conveys a light, crumbly texture rather than a solid, uniform surface.

In informal speech, flakey describes a person who is unreliable or prone to canceling plans. The related verb to flake means to fail to follow through, as in flaking on someone or flaking out. A person who is flaky is sometimes called a flake. The expression "to flake on" someone indicates disappointment at a missed commitment. The usage can range from mild teasing to a sharp rebuke, depending on tone and context.

Etymology and spelling: flakey and flaky derive from the noun flake and the -y suffix. Flaky is the more common spelling in most varieties of English, especially in formal writing, while flakey is widely understood as a variant, often seen in informal contexts.

See also: flaky pastry; flake (noun); unreliable; procrastination.