fling

1 of 2

verb

ˈfliŋ 

flung ˈfləŋ  ; flinging ˈfliŋ-iŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to move in a brusque or headlong manner

flung out of the room in a rage

2

of an animal : to kick or plunge vigorously

3

Scotland : caper

transitive verb

1

a

: to throw forcefully, impetuously, or casually

flung herself down on the sofa

clothes were flung on the floor

b

: to cast as if by throwing

flung off all restraint

2

: to place or send suddenly and unceremoniously (see unceremonious sense 2)

was arrested and flung into prison

3

: to give unrestrainedly

flung himself into music

flinger

ˈfliŋ-ər 

noun

fling

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of flinging

2

a

: a casual try or involvement

b

: a casual or brief love affair

3

: a period devoted to self-indulgence

Synonyms

Verb

• cast
• catapult
• chuck
• dash
• fire
• heave
• hurl
• hurtle
• launch
• lob
• loft
• peg
• pelt
• pitch
• sling
• throw
• toss

Noun

• binge
• frisk
• frolic
• gambol
• idyll
• idyl
• lark
• ploy
• revel
• rollick
• romp
• spree

Choose the Right Synonym for fling

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force.

throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm.

can throw a fastball and a curve

cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering.

cast it to the winds

toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion.

tossed the coat on the bed

fling stresses a violent throwing.

flung the ring back in his face

hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight.

hurled himself at the intruder

pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target.

pitch horseshoes

sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim.

slung the bag over his shoulder

Examples of fling in a Sentence

Verb

He flung his shoe across the room.

She flung the door open and stormed into the room.

They flung their hats into the air.

She flung herself into his arms.

He flung his arms around her.

I flung back my head and laughed.

He leaned back and flung his leg over the arm of the chair.

She flung herself onto the couch.

Noun

She had a fling with her boss.

They had time for one last fling before going back to school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the Hauser & Wirth exhibition, there is a short film that shows Metzger making these works, flinging acid on sheets of material, or using a bug sprayer to deliver acid to canvases. —Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

The setting of Vampire Hunter D, a film adaptation of author Hideyuki Kikuchi’s novel series that had begun two years earlier, however, could not have been further flung. —James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

Noun

Where to watch: Netflix ‘Lonely Planet’ In the romantic drama, a posh writers' retreat is the setting for a May-December fling. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024

Some flings are Moore memorable than others — just ask Rob Lowe. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flengja to whip

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fling

• fling oneself into
• give (something) a fling
• have a fling at (something)
• Highland fling
• throw/fling/cast caution to the wind

Kids Definition

fling

1 of 2 verb

ˈfliŋ 

flung ˈfləŋ  ; flinging ˈfliŋ-iŋ 

1

: to move in an abrupt or headlong manner

flung out of the room in a huff

2

: to kick or plunge vigorously

the horse flung out at him as he went by

3

a

: to throw or swing with force

flung herself down on the couch

b

: to cast aside : discard

4

: to put suddenly and unexpectedly into a state or condition

flung into confusion

flinger

ˈfliŋ-ər 

noun

fling

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of flinging

2

: a casual try or involvement

3

: a time of freedom for pleasure