flying

1 of 2

adjective

fly·​ing ˈflī-iŋ 

1

a

: moving or capable of moving in the air

b

: moving or made by moving rapidly

flying feet

a flying leap

c

: very brief

2

: intended for ready movement or action

a flying squad car

3

: having stylized wings

—used especially of livestock brand marks

4

: of or relating to the operation of aircraft

a flying club

5

: traversed or to be traversed (as in speed-record trials) after a running start

a flying kilometer

see also:

with flying colors

flying

2 of 2

noun

1

: travel by air

2

: the operation of an aircraft or spacecraft

Synonyms of flying

Adjective

• rushed
• hurried
• headlong
• impulsive
• rash
• reckless
• sudden
• makeshift
• drive-by

Noun

• flight

Examples of flying in a Sentence

Adjective

a story about a flying car

a flying attempt at finishing the work

Noun

had never had the slightest fear of flying

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Gray squirrels are active during the day, while flying squirrels are active at night, says Mengak. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

The priciest flying days are the ones just before Christmas and New Year’s Day. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 23 Dec. 2025

Noun

Turkish just began flying to its sixth continent, is there more Australian flying planned? — Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Trans-Pacific flying is often highly profitable, with long-haul flights commanding a premium and served by planes with dozens of premium seats. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flying

• accusations are flying
• flying boat
• flying bomb
• flying bridge
• flying buttress
• flying fish
• flying fox
• flying gurnard
• flying jib
• flying lemur
• flying machine
• flying mare
• flying officer
• flying saucer
• flying spot
• flying squad
• flying squirrel
• flying start
• flying wedge
• go flying
• high-flying
• instrument flying
• knock someone flying
• rumors are flying
• take a flying leap
• unidentified flying object
• with flying colors

Rhymes for flying

• acidifying
• demystifying
• detoxifying
• disqualifying
• diversifying
• electrifying
• emulsifying
• exemplifying
• identifying
• indemnifying
• intensifying
• objectifying

Kids Definition

flying

adjective

fly·​ing

ˈflī-iŋ

1

a

: moving or made by moving rapidly

a flying leap

b

: hasty sense 1a

a flying visit

2

: ready to move or act quickly

a flying squad car