adj
Very common
flying
FLEYE-ihng
Flying (adj) means Able to fly, or moving through the air. Example: “A flying insect landed on the windowsill.”
adj
1
Able to fly, or moving through the air.
"A flying insect landed on the windowsill."
"A flying squirrel glided from one tree to the next."
"Be careful of flying stones near the road works."
2
Brief or hurried.
"We made a flying stop at the shop on the way home."
"She gave the room a flying tidy before the guests arrived."
"He paid a flying visit to his parents before heading back to work."
noun
1
The act or process of traveling through the air.
"Flying still makes some people nervous, even with all the safety statistics."
"My grandmother was scared of flying and always took the train."
"Flying over the mountains gave us a wonderful view."
How to use flying
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoving through the air, or (used before a noun) something quick and brief, like a "flying visit."
Common pairings
flying visit
flying colors
afraid of flying
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Word forms
- Plural
- flyings
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A _____ insect landed on the windowsill.
Etymology
From Old English fleogende, the present participle of fleogan ("to fly").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for flying
See all rhymes for flying →Frequently asked questions
What does “flying” mean?
The word “flying” means able to fly, or moving through the air. In plain terms, moving through the air, or (used before a noun) something quick and brief, like a "flying visit.".
How do you pronounce “flying”?
“Flying” is pronounced FLEYE-ihng (/ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “flying” in a sentence?
Here is “flying” used in a sentence: “A flying insect landed on the windowsill.”
What part of speech is “flying”?
Depending on how it is used, “flying” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “flying” come from?
The word “flying” comes from Old English. From Old English fleogende, the present participle of fleogan ("to fly").
Is “flying” a common word?
“Flying” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “flying” have?
“Flying” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to fly, or moving through the air.
What is the difference between flying and gliding?
Flying is moving through the air in any way, often under active power — a bird flapping its wings or a plane driven by engines. Gliding is a type of flying without that active propulsion: the object coasts on air currents or momentum, like a paper plane or a gliding squirrel.
What is an example of something flying?
Almost anything moving through the air qualifies: a bird in flight, an airplane crossing the sky, an insect buzzing past, or a kite lifted by the wind. As a describing word, 'flying' also names things built or able to fly, such as a flying fish or a flying machine.
Is 'flying' an adjective or a verb?
It can be both. As an adjective, 'flying' describes something able to fly or moving through the air — a flying squirrel, a flying visit. As a verb, it is the present participle of 'to fly,' as in 'the geese are flying south.' Context shows which role it plays.
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