noun Common

flies

flyz

Flies (noun) means In a theatre, the open space above the stage used for hanging scenery, lighting, and rigging out of the audience's sight. Example: “The backdrop was hoisted up into the flies between scenes.”

noun

In a theatre, the open space above the stage used for hanging scenery, lighting, and rigging out of the audience's sight.

"The backdrop was hoisted up into the flies between scenes."

"A stagehand worked the ropes high in the flies during the set change."

How to use flies

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe hidden overhead area of a theatre stage where scenery gets raised and lowered.

Common mistake

This theatre sense is unrelated to the plural of "fly" (the insect, or a trouser flap) — context makes it clear.

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Fill the gap

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The backdrop was hoisted up into the _____ between scenes.

Synonyms

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fly loft fly space fly tower

Rhymes for flies

lies dies Aries Fries duties series ladies rabies undies Davies movies Indies

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Frequently asked questions

What does “flies” mean?

The word “flies” means in a theatre, the open space above the stage used for hanging scenery, lighting, and rigging out of the audience's sight. In plain terms, the hidden overhead area of a theatre stage where scenery gets raised and lowered.

How do you pronounce “flies”?

“Flies” is pronounced flyz (/flaɪz/ in IPA).

How do you use “flies” in a sentence?

Here is “flies” used in a sentence: “The backdrop was hoisted up into the flies between scenes.”

What part of speech is “flies”?

“Flies” is a noun.

Is “flies” a common word?

“Flies” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Why is the space above a theatre stage called the flies?

Because scenery raised into it is said to "fly": pieces are flown in when lowered into view and flown out when lifted away out of the audience's sight. The flies is the open space above the stage where that hanging scenery, lighting, and rigging sit between cues.

What is the difference between the flies and a fly tower?

The flies is the open space above the stage used for hanging scenery, lighting, and rigging, while the fly tower (or fly loft) is the tall structure built above the stage to contain that space. In practice, theatre people use the terms almost interchangeably.

Is "the flies" singular or plural?

The theatre term is normally used as a plural with the definite article: "the scenery hangs in the flies," and verb agreement is usually plural ("the flies are rigged"). If a singular form is neater, related terms such as fly loft or fly space are available.

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