flighty

American  

[flahy-tee] / ˈflaɪ ti /

adjective

flightier, flightiest

1. given to flights flight of fancy; capricious; frivolous.

   Synonyms:

   irresponsible, undependable, mercurial

2. slightly delirious; light-headed; mildly crazy.

3. irresponsible.

   He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.

4. Archaic. swift or fleet.

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flighty British  

/ ˈflaɪtɪ /

adjective

1. frivolous and irresponsible; capricious; volatile

2. mentally erratic, unstable, or wandering

3. flirtatious; coquettish

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Other Word Forms

• flightily adverb
• flightiness noun
• unflighty adjective

Etymology

Origin of flighty

First recorded in 1545–55; flight ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Instead, the troubles stem from the firm’s big bet on technology lending, its heavy marketing of funds to individual investors—who tend to be flightier—and a series of missteps that snowballed out of control.

From The Wall Street Journal

A smile thrown in her direction during a parade honoring a visiting king and his princess daughter, a marvelously flighty Miriam Hopkins, almost causes an international incident after the gesture is misinterpreted.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You not some happy-go-lucky kid anymore. You one grown man. You a father. No can be flighty, go off anywhere you like. You need for provide Clara with stability.”

From Literature

He wasn’t a crazed football fan or a flighty 30-something bachelor, but an outdoorsman who loved mountain biking away from the city.

From The Wall Street Journal

Undertaking a new challenge every few years can show employers you’re ambitious, but not flighty.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• capricious
• giddy
• unstable