flier

noun

fli·​er ˈflī(-ə)r 

variants or less commonly flyer

1

: one that flies

She's a frequent flier on that airline.

specifically : airman

He was a flier on an aircraft carrier.

2

: a reckless or speculative venture

—usually used in the phrase take a flier

He took a flier in politics soon after getting his degree.

3

usually flyer : an advertising circular

Flyers announcing the concert were distributed throughout the city.

Synonyms of flier

• gamble
• chance
• venture
• throw

Examples of flier in a Sentence

These birds are graceful fliers.

They distributed flyers announcing the concert throughout the city.

Recent Examples on the Web

JetBlue is finally ready to help its top fliers unwind before heading to their gates. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2025

Trying to create this expectation also risks exacerbating implicit biases against Black fliers and people of color, whose clothes are already scrutinized everywhere, including airports. —Essence, 9 Dec. 2025

Every Major League Baseball teams takes a few fliers on fringy veterans at this time of year, and the Chicago Cubs found themselves some utility depth on Tuesday. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

Frequent fliers on my snack packing list include blueberries, trail mix, jerky, and chocolate. —Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flier

• frequent-flier
• take a flier

Rhymes for flier

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flyer
• friar
• frier

Kids Definition

flier

noun

fli·​er

variants also flyer

ˈflī(-ə)r

1

: one that flies

especially : pilot entry 1 sense 3

2

: an undertaking (as in business) that involves much risk

3

: an advertising circular