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

Last month, Mullin said that officials may stop processing international fliers through border patrol at some of the largest airports in the United States if sanctuary cities did not comply. —Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 28 May 2026

His law bars blocking highways within one mile of a service or approaching someone to hand them a flier within 100 feet of a place of worship. —Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

Their prey includes pigeons, ducks, shorebirds and starlings — fast, agile fliers that are capable of making sudden evasive turns. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Following the shootdown, three of the four fliers’ families sued the Cuban government. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026

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

• acquire
• attire
• bonfire
• campfire
• ceasefire
• conspire
• desire
• enquire
• entire
• greenbrier
• gunfire
• homebuyer

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