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

• adventure
• chance
• crapshoot
• enterprise
• flutter [chiefly British]
• gamble
• speculation
• throw
• venture

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

Delta has a partnership with Chilean airlines LATAM that permits fliers on one carrier to earn and use frequent flier miles on the other. —Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025

Etihad and China Eastern have a joint venture that enables them to coordinate flights, share revenues and offer reciprocal frequent flier benefits. —Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

The property at 14000 E. Double Tapp Lane sits 17 miles southeast of Boise and is a 15-minute drive from the Boise Airport, according to a marketing flier. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 19 May 2025

Our guide features top picks that frequent fliers will truly appreciate. —Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 18 May 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