flier

noun

fli·​er ˈflī(-ə)r How to pronounce flier (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The cost to join Hogsett's committee of supporters ranged between $2,500 and $10,000 per year, according to the event flier. Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 After Ryder the dog went missing over the Fourth of July holiday two years ago — getting out of his backyard as neighbors fired off loud bottle rockets and fireworks — Debbie Ferris made fliers, posted on online rescue sites and went door-to-door in her Las Vegas neighborhood. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2025 Conservatives online seized on the fliers — and the fact that Boelter had apparently once been reappointed to a state workforce development board by Democratic Gov. Tim Walz — to claim the suspect must be a liberal. Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025 This Father’s Day, give the frequent flier in your life the tools to upgrade their inflight experience—no seat change required. Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for flier

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flier was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flier. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on flier

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!