kite

1 of 2

noun

ˈkīt 

1

: a light frame covered with paper, cloth, or plastic, often provided with a stabilizing tail, and designed to be flown in the air at the end of a long string

2

: any of various usually small hawks (family Accipitridae) with long narrow wings and often a notched or forked tail

3

: a person who preys on others

4

: a check drawn against uncollected funds in a bank account or fraudulently raised before cashing

5

: a light sail used in a light breeze usually in addition to the regular working sails

especially : spinnaker

kitelike

ˈkīt-ˌlīk 

adjective

kite

2 of 2

verb

kited; kiting

transitive verb

1

: to use (a bad check) to get credit or money

2

: to cause to soar

kited the prices they charged wealthy clients

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go in a rapid, carefree, or flighty manner

b

: to rise rapidly : soar

2

: to get money or credit by a kite

kiter noun

Synonyms

Noun

• bloodsucker
• buzzard
• harpy
• predator
• shark
• vampire
• vulture
• wolf

Examples of kite in a Sentence

Noun

The children were flying kites.

characterized the financial advisors as kites who took advantage of their customers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Do not build campfires or bonfires, light off fireworks, or fly kites on beaches where plovers and terns nest. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2024

Our boys flew colorful kites and practiced two of Mongolia’s most popular national sports, archery and wrestling, with Enkhbold, who showed them how to trip or lift their opponent. —Kate Eshelby, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024

Verb

People fly kites during the celebrations to mark India's Independence Day in New Delhi on August 15, 2023. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 4 July 2024

Plus, check out paper kite building classes, kite-flying competitions, refreshments, and kites for sale. —Clilly, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English cȳta; akin to Middle High German kūze owl

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1839, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing kite

• as high as a kite
• box kite
• go fly a kite

Kids Definition

kite

noun

ˈkīt

1

: any of various usually small hawks with long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail

2

: a light covered frame for flying in the air at the end of a long string