flying

1 of 2

adjective

fly·​ing ˈflī-iŋ 

1

a

: moving or capable of moving in the air

b

: moving or made by moving rapidly

flying feet

a flying leap

c

: very brief

2

: intended for ready movement or action

a flying squad car

3

: having stylized wings

—used especially of livestock brand marks

4

: of or relating to the operation of aircraft

a flying club

5

: traversed or to be traversed (as in speed-record trials) after a running start

a flying kilometer

flying

2 of 2

noun

1

: travel by air

2

: the operation of an aircraft or spacecraft

Phrases

with flying colors

: with complete or eminent success

Synonyms

Adjective

• rushed
• hurried
• headlong
• impulsive
• rash
• reckless
• sudden
• makeshift
• drive-by

Noun

• flight

Examples of flying in a Sentence

Adjective

a story about a flying car

a flying attempt at finishing the work

Noun

had never had the slightest fear of flying

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The lower end of that spectrum (2,000 kelvins) will provide an orangey, amber light and attract the fewest flying insects. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025

But there aren’t enough helicopters available for initial pilot training, current and former Army aviators told Forbes, and active-duty and National Guard aircrews simply aren’t getting enough flying hours in peacetime. —Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 4 Feb. 2025

Noun

Given the era and budget, flying scenes involved animation, which is still entertaining to watch today. —Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025

This Supe has a best friend and wildly enthusiastic companion in rambunctious flying canine Krypto, a CGI marvel. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flying

• accusations are flying
• flying boat
• flying bomb
• flying bridge
• flying buttress
• flying fish
• flying fox
• flying gurnard
• flying jib
• flying lemur
• flying machine
• flying mare
• flying officer
• flying saucer
• flying spot
• flying squad
• flying squirrel
• flying start
• flying wedge
• go flying
• high-flying
• instrument flying
• knock someone flying
• rumors are flying
• take a flying leap
• unidentified flying object

Rhymes for flying

• buying
• crying
• drying
• dyeing
• dying
• frying
• lying
• plying
• prying
• shying
• sighing
• spying

Kids Definition

flying

adjective

fly·​ing

ˈflī-iŋ

1

a

: moving or made by moving rapidly

a flying leap

b

: hasty sense 1a

a flying visit

2

: ready to move or act quickly

a flying squad car