fling

[ fling ]

verb (used with object)

, flung [fluhng], fling·ing.

1. to throw, cast, or hurl with force or violence:

   to fling a stone.

2. to move (oneself ) violently with impatience, contempt, or the like:

   She flung herself angrily from the room.

3. to put suddenly or violently:

   to fling a suspect into jail.

4. to project or speak sharply, curtly, or forcefully:

   He flung his answer at the questioner.

5. to involve (oneself ) vigorously in an undertaking.
6. to move, do, or say (something) quickly:

   to fling a greeting in passing.

7. to send suddenly and rapidly:

   to fling fresh troops into a battle.

8. to throw aside or off.
9. to throw to the ground, as in wrestling or horseback riding.

verb (used without object)

, flung [fluhng], fling·ing.

1. to move with haste or violence; rush; dash.
2. to fly into violent and irregular motions, as a horse; throw the body about, as a person.
3. to speak harshly or abusively (usually followed by out ):

   He flung out disgustedly against the whole human race.

noun

1. an act of flinging.
2. a short period of unrestrained pursuit of one's wishes or desires:

   The week of partying was my last fling before starting a new job.

3. an attempt at something:

   He took a fling at playwriting.

4. a critical or contemptuous remark; gibe.
5. Also called Highland fling. a lively Scottish dance characterized by flinging movements of the arms and legs.

fling

/ flɪŋ /

verb

1. to throw, esp with force or abandon; hurl or toss
2. to put or send without warning or preparation

   to fling someone into jail

3. also intr to move (oneself or a part of the body) with abandon or speed

   he flung himself into a chair

4. usually foll by into to apply (oneself) diligently and with vigour (to)
5. to cast aside; disregard

   she flung away her scruples

6. to utter violently or offensively
7. poetic.
   to give out; emit

noun

1. the act or an instance of flinging; toss; throw
2. a period or occasion of unrestrained, impulsive, or extravagant behaviour

   to have a fling

3. any of various vigorous Scottish reels full of leaps and turns, such as the Highland fling
4. a trial; try

   to have a fling at something different

Derived Forms

• ˈflinger, noun

Other Words From

• outfling verb (used with object) outflung outflinging

Word History and Origins

Origin of fling¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; compare Swedish flänga “to fly, race”

Word History and Origins

Origin of fling¹

C13: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse flengja to flog, Swedish flänga , Danish flænge

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with fling , also see last fling .

Example Sentences

She was remarkably nice, and by the time she admitted that she—in an effort to impress us—had watched Spikeball tutorials prior to coming, I knew it was more than a fling.

From Outside Online

I didn’t have to wonder if he saw me as a fling or if he was ready for a serious girlfriend.

From Essence.com

In the 1990s, a team at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island built a 50-foot-wide ring to fling muons around and began collecting data.

From Quanta Magazine

She’d had on-trail romances before, and Constantine, she thought, was funny and handsome enough for a rebound fling—some “trail tail,” she kids.

From Outside Online

Whether he’s rushing into a fling or trying to escape a heartbreak, time never seems to be moving fast enough.

From Washington Post

The protection will last as long as Winston can still fling the ball 50 yards downfield to a streaking wide receiver.

From The Daily Beast

Did you and Christian Slater have a romantic fling on True Romance?

From The Daily Beast

Will she have a terrible relapse and turn to her pal/sometime fling Vause for help?

From The Daily Beast

Remember, the people surveyed have already signed up for a fling.

From The Daily Beast

But this time, we were looking for more than just a couple of great dates or a fling.

From The Daily Beast

When I come home from the lessons I fling myself on the sofa, and feel as if I never wanted to get up again.

From Project Gutenberg

At sight of this generous enemy, this faithful friend, how could he restrain the grateful impulse to fling himself into his arms!

From Project Gutenberg

Honey-Bee was too proper to fling hers up also, so taking off the shoe that wouldn't stay on she threw it joyfully over her head.

From Project Gutenberg

This, with contemptuous indignation, we fling back into their face, as a scorpion to a vulture.

From Project Gutenberg

Without uttering a word, I pick up the heavy saltcellar, and fling it violently against the French mirror.

From Project Gutenberg