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

“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

That mix “made our deposits a bit more flighty. It’s a little easier to move large chunky commercial deposits,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

One insider who has been part of conversations about the chances of changing the leader says, "it's not flighty people, not just newbies without a clue, they're not idiots".

From BBC

Related Words

• capricious
• giddy
• unstable