flit

verb

flitted; flitting
Synonyms of flitnext

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
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.
For families Families were flitting around the lobby, pool terrace, and elevators throughout my stay, so rest assured that this is a great spot to bring the kids—not to mention that the attached shopping mall and exceptionally safe surrounding neighborhood are reassuring for any parent. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2026 That album came after two star-making mixtapes Beat Tape 1 (2014) and Beat Tape 2 (2015) that marked him out as one of British music’s bright young things, a guitarist and songwriter who could flit between jazz, pop, hip-hop and disco and could pull a feature or two (more on those later). Thomas Smith, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026 McCarthyite revivalism has flitted around the edges of American conservatism since the senator fell from grace during his conspiratorial anti-Communist campaign in the 1950s. Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026 Passengers swapped T-shirts with sweaters as the train gathered speed, and the plains around Bologna flitted by the window. Vic O'Sullivan, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flit

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of flit was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flit. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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!

More from Merriam-Webster