fling

[ fling ]
See synonyms for: flingflung on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),flung [fluhng], /flʌŋ/, 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.

  1. to put suddenly or violently: to fling a suspect into jail.

  2. to project or speak sharply, curtly, or forcefully: He flung his answer at the questioner.

  3. to involve (oneself) vigorously in an undertaking.

  4. to move, do, or say (something) quickly: to fling a greeting in passing.

  5. to send suddenly and rapidly: to fling fresh troops into a battle.

  6. to throw aside or off.

  7. to throw to the ground, as in wrestling or horseback riding.

verb (used without object),flung [fluhng], /flʌŋ/, 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.

  1. 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.

  1. an attempt at something: He took a fling at playwriting.

  2. a critical or contemptuous remark; gibe.

  3. Also called Highland fling. a lively Scottish dance characterized by flinging movements of the arms and legs.

Origin of fling

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; compare Swedish flänga “to fly, race”

Other words from fling

  • outfling, verb (used with object), out·flung, out·fling·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fling in a sentence

  • "I am more at ease without it," said the boy, flinging the velvet square angrily across the room.

    The Dragon Painter | Mary McNeil Fenollosa
  • In the midst of its heaving waters he quickly arose flinging his long arms wildly about, and shouting for help with bubbling cry.

    Hunted and Harried | R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for fling

fling

/ (flɪŋ) /


verbflings, flinging or flung (flʌŋ) (mainly tr)
  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

  1. (also intr) to move (oneself or a part of the body) with abandon or speed: he flung himself into a chair

  2. (usually foll by into) to apply (oneself) diligently and with vigour (to)

  3. to cast aside; disregard: she flung away her scruples

  4. to utter violently or offensively

  5. 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

  1. any of various vigorous Scottish reels full of leaps and turns, such as the Highland fling

  2. a trial; try: to have a fling at something different

Origin of fling

1
C13: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse flengja to flog, Swedish flänga, Danish flænge

Derived forms of fling

  • flinger, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with fling

fling

In addition to the idiom beginning with fling

  • fling oneself at someone

also see:

  • last fling

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.