flit

verb

flitted; flitting

intransitive verb

1
: to pass quickly or abruptly from one place or condition to another
2
archaic : alter, shift
3
: to move in an erratic fluttering manner
flit noun

Examples of flit in a Sentence

butterflies flitting around the garden The hummingbird flitted from flower to flower. She was always flitting around the kitchen.
Recent Examples on the Web Being online means constantly flitting between these places and their ever-shifting sets of rules and norms. David Pierce, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2023 The difference today is that the industry has gone global, and not just because fancy architects flit from continent to continent seeding signature projects. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 Oct. 2023 This July, red and purple wildflowers dotted the meadows, where songbirds and woodpeckers flitted in treetops and rock squirrels and chipmunks toiled on the ground. Paighten Harkins, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Aug. 2023 Persimmons ripen on trees nearby and magpies flit around the ancient Altar of the Sun park across the street, where early risers often perform tai chi. Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Oct. 2023 Roderick's story largely flits between his early years working at Fortunato and the events that led up to each of his children's deaths. Megan McCluskey, TIME, 12 Oct. 2023 For several minutes the wasp circled him, flitting in and out with the agile prodding of a fencer. Katie Weeman, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2023 Indoors, Keshet is usually free to flit around, an arrangement that works because he has been trained to use the toilet. Detroit Free Press, 23 July 2023 Her backup dancers followed suit, their campy expressions flitting between joy and treachery, lending the scene a delightfully creepy edge. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 13 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flitten, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flytjask to move, Old English flēotan to float

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flit was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near flit

Cite this Entry

“Flit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flit. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

flit

verb
flitted; flitting
: to move or progress in a quick irregular manner
flit noun

More from Merriam-Webster on flit

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!