verb
C2
Proficient
flit
fliht
Flit (verb) means to move quickly and lightly from one place to another. Example: “A hummingbird flitted between the flowers.”
verb
1
To move quickly and lightly from one place to another.
"A hummingbird flitted between the flowers."
"Her eyes flitted nervously around the room."
2
To move house suddenly, especially to escape debts.
"The family flitted in the night, leaving the rent unpaid."
noun
1
A quick, darting movement.
"She caught a flit of movement in the hedge."
How to use flit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo dart quickly from place to place, or (informally) to move house in a hurry.
Common mistake
The dated slang sense meaning a gay man is offensive and best avoided.
Common pairings
flit from flower to flower
flit between rooms
flit in the night
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Word forms
- Plural
- flits
- Third person singular
- flits
- Past tense
- flitted
- Comparative
- more flit
- Superlative
- most flit
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She caught a _____ of movement in the hedge.
Etymology
From Middle English flitten, borrowed from Old Norse flytja ("to move"), ultimately from a root meaning "to flow" or "run."
Related words
Rhymes for flit
See all rhymes for flit →Frequently asked questions
What does “flit” mean?
The word “flit” means to move quickly and lightly from one place to another. In plain terms, to dart quickly from place to place, or (informally) to move house in a hurry.
How do you pronounce “flit”?
“Flit” is pronounced fliht (/flɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “flit” in a sentence?
Here is “flit” used in a sentence: “A hummingbird flitted between the flowers.”
What part of speech is “flit”?
Depending on how it is used, “flit” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “flit” come from?
The word “flit” comes from Middle English. From Middle English flitten, borrowed from Old Norse flytja ("to move"), ultimately from a root meaning "to flow" or "run.".
How many meanings does “flit” have?
“Flit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move quickly and lightly from one place to another.
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