Fly

/flaɪ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a small, winged insect of the order Diptera.

A fly landed on my picnic.

a device or mechanism that allows something to move quickly, especially in the air.

The fly of the zipper was stuck.

a part of clothing that covers the opening of trousers.

Make sure to zip up your fly before leaving the restroom.

verb

to move through the air using wings.

Birds fly south for the winter.

to travel by air, especially in an airplane or spacecraft.

We will fly to New York tomorrow.

to ascend rapidly.

The rocket will fly into orbit within minutes.

adjective

slang term meaning stylish or impressive.

Those shoes are really fly!

Old English 'flēogan', from Proto-Germanic 'fleugan' (cf. German 'fliegen', Dutch 'vliegen').

fly high

To be successful or achieve great things.

fly by the seat of your pants

To do something without planning, relying on instinct or improvisation.

when pigs fly

A way of saying something will never happen.

flight

The act of flying or traveling through the air.

flyer

A small printed advertisement or handbill.

aviation

The operation and design of aircraft.

To be stylish, cool, or impressive in appearance or action.

That new jacket is really fly! You look great.

To leave quickly or to escape.

We should fly before anyone notices we're gone!