flying

[flahy-ing]

adjective

1. making flight or passing through the air; that flies: fly.

   a flying insect; an unidentified flying object.

2. floating, fluttering, waving, hanging, or moving freely in the air.

   flying banners; flying hair.

3. extending through the air.

4. moving swiftly.

5. made while moving swiftly.

   a flying leap.

6. very hasty or brief; fleeting or transitory.

   a flying visit; a flying remark.

7. designed or organized for swift movement or action.

8. fleeing, running away, or taking flight.

   They pursued the flying enemy.

9. Nautical.,  (of a sail) having none of its edges fastened to spars or stays.

noun

1. the act of moving through the air on wings; flight.

adverb

1. Nautical.,  without being fastened to a yard, stay, or the like.

   a sail set flying.

flying

/ ˈflaɪɪŋ /

adjective

1. (prenominal) hurried; fleeting

   a flying visit

2. (prenominal) designed for fast action

3. (prenominal) moving or passing quickly on or as if on wings

   a flying leap

   the flying hours

4. hanging, waving, or floating freely

   flying hair

5. nautical (of a sail) not hauled in tight against the wind

noun

1. the act of piloting, navigating, or travelling in an aircraft

2. (modifier) relating to, capable of, accustomed to, or adapted for flight

   a flying machine

Other Word Forms

• nonflying adjective
• unflying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flying¹

before 1000; Middle English (noun); Old English flēogende (adj.). See fly ², -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

"Watching them figure it out and start flying their bodies is always a heartwarming moment. Sometimes though, it can get a little hectic up there when you let someone go for their first time."

From BBC

The hawks were employed by SoFi Stadium to deter other birds from flying over SoFi Stadium during the game, keeping fans safe from unpleasant aerial droppings and also keeping birds from eating discarded food.

From Los Angeles Times

An amber wind warning is in place for parts of northern and western Scotland, where the Met Office is warning of power cuts and flying debris that could endanger life.

From BBC

The buzz of his drone is especially reassuring to people where he's flying today – we're at Dee Why, a nearby beach in the bay where the recent fatal attack happened.

From BBC

The Met Office has issued weather warnings for wind and rain, as gusts may bring a risk of injuries from flying debris.

From BBC

Related Words

• aerial 
• floating 
• soaring