flakier

Flakier is the comparative form of flaky, an English adjective with several related senses. It describes texture that consists of thin, irregular layers that tend to separate into flakes, as in laminated pastries or certain pastry crusts, and it can refer to surfaces or substances that shed small flakes, such as dried paint or dry skin. The term also covers a colloquial sense: when applied to a person or plan, flaky means unreliable or inconsistent; flakier signals a higher degree of unreliability or inconsistency.

Culinary usage: Flakiness in pastries comes from fat distributed in layers and steam creating separate sheets of dough. Laminated pastries such as puff pastry and croissants are noted for their flake-by-flake texture. The adjective can describe food textures beyond pastry, including cereals or fried items that break into flakes. The opposite is non-flaky or compact.

Behavioral usage: In informal speech, to flake is to fail to honor a commitment, often at the last minute. Flakier people are more prone to cancel plans or miss deadlines than those described as flaky. The term is typically informal and can carry a negative connotation in social contexts.

Usage notes: Spelling variants include flaky and flakey; comparative form is flakier. In American English, flaky is the standard spelling, while flakey is also used in some regions. In technical writing, prefer specific descriptors like “more flaky” or “more unreliable” depending on meaning.