Australian English dictionary

Browse A–Z

• flash flood

  noun

  A sudden flood caused by heavy rain in a short time.

  Flash floods can happen quickly after a storm.

• flat out

  adjective

  Extremely busy; also used to mean as fast as possible.

  I've been flat out at work all week.

• flat white

  noun

  An espresso drink with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam.

  I ordered a flat white at the cafe.

• flexible working arrangement

  noun

  A change to work hours, patterns or location that some employees can formally request.

  She requested a flexible working arrangement after returning from leave.

• flick

  verb

  To get rid of something or someone, for example by ending a relationship.

  She flicked him after two weeks.

• flu shot

  noun

  A yearly vaccine against influenza.

  Many pharmacies offer flu shots in autumn.

• footpath

  noun

  A paved path beside a road for pedestrians.

  Walk along the footpath to the next crossing.

• footy

  noun

  Australian football or another local football code.

  We watched the footy last night.

• free camping

  noun

  Camping in places where no accommodation fee is charged, subject to local rules.

  We checked whether free camping was permitted.

• fringe benefits tax

  noun

  An Australian tax on certain non-cash employee benefits.

  The accountant explained fringe benefits tax.

• full-time

  adjective

  Working the standard number of hours each week, usually about 38, with ongoing employment.

  She was offered a full-time role after six months.

• furphy

  noun

  A rumour or false story.

  That claim turned out to be a furphy.

• G'day

  exclamation

  A friendly Australian greeting meaning hello.

  G'day, how are you going?

• galah

  noun

  An Australian cockatoo with pink and grey plumage.

  A flock of galahs landed on the oval.

• gap fee

  noun

  The amount a patient pays when a provider's charge exceeds the applicable benefit.

  The receptionist explained the gap fee.

• garbo

  noun

  A garbage or rubbish collector.

  The garbos come on Tuesday mornings.

• gas bottle swap

  noun

  Exchanging an empty barbecue gas bottle for a full one at a shop or service station.

  We did a gas bottle swap before the barbie.

• give it a go

  phrase

  To try something, even if success is uncertain.

  Give it a go before deciding it is too hard.

• give way

  phrase

  To let other vehicles or people go first, as required by road rules.

  Give way to pedestrians when turning.

• go card

  proper noun

  A smartcard used for many public transport services in South East Queensland.

  He used his go card on the bus.

• good on ya

  phrase

  Expression of praise or encouragement.

  Good on ya for finishing the course.

• GP

  noun

  General practitioner; primary care doctor.

  Book an appointment with your GP.

• GP clinic

  noun

  A medical practice where general practitioners see patients.

  She booked a visit to a GP clinic.

• graduation ceremony

  noun

  A formal event where students receive their degrees.

  Her parents flew in for the graduation ceremony.

• granny flat

  noun

  A smaller separate dwelling located on the same property as another home.

  Her parents live in the granny flat.