fling

[ fling ]

/ flɪŋ /

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verb (used with object), flung

[fluhng], /flʌŋ/, fling·ing.

to throw, cast, or hurl with force or violence: to fling a stone.

to move (oneself) violently with impatience, contempt, or the like: She flung herself angrily from the room.

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

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

to involve (oneself) vigorously in an undertaking.

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

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

to throw aside or off.

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

verb (used without object), flung

[fluhng], /flʌŋ/, fling·ing.

to move with haste or violence; rush; dash.

to fly into violent and irregular motions, as a horse; throw the body about, as a person.

to speak harshly or abusively (usually followed by out): He flung out disgustedly against the whole human race.

noun

an act of flinging.

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.

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

a critical or contemptuous remark; gibe.

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of fling

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.

Words nearby fling

flinders, Flinders bar, Flinders grass, Flinders Island, Flinders Range, fling, flinger, fling oneself at someone, fling (throw) down the gauntlet, flint, flint corn

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fling in a sentence

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.
Spikeball Is the Perfect Pandemic Activity|smurguia|August 10, 2021|Outside Online
I didn’t have to wonder if he saw me as a fling or if he was ready for a serious girlfriend.
Bridal Bliss: Courtney And Torrey Said “I Do” In A Stunning Fourth of July Fête|Victoria Uwumarogie|July 14, 2021|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.
‘Last Hope’ Experiment Finds Evidence for Unknown Particles|Natalie Wolchover|April 7, 2021|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.
What It’s Like to Fall in Love on a Long Hike|Grayson Haver Currin|February 13, 2021|Outside Online

Whether he’s rushing into a fling or trying to escape a heartbreak, time never seems to be moving fast enough.
Morgan Wallen’s big moment feels about 19 songs too long|Chris Richards|January 14, 2021|Washington Post
The protection will last as long as Winston can still fling the ball 50 yards downfield to a streaking wide receiver.
Jameis Winston Cleared of Rape Like Every Other College Sports Star|Robert Silverman|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did you and Christian Slater have a romantic fling on True Romance?
Patricia Arquette Uncut: Drunken Mischief with Johnny Depp, ‘True Romance’ Crush, and ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|July 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Will she have a terrible relapse and turn to her pal/sometime fling Vause for help?
‘Orange Is the New Black’: Inside the Wild S2 Finale and What’s Next for Season 3|Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Remember, the people surveyed have already signed up for a fling.
Japan’s Desperate Housewives Opting for Adulterous Online Dating|Angela Erika Kubo, Jake Adelstein|April 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But this time, we were looking for more than just a couple of great dates or a fling.
Best Cities to Find Love and Stay in Love|Brandy Zadrozny, Rachel Bronstein|February 14, 2014|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.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
At sight of this generous enemy, this faithful friend, how could he restrain the grateful impulse to fling himself into his arms!
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
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.
Honey-Bee|Anatole France
This, with contemptuous indignation, we fling back into their face, as a scorpion to a vulture.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States|Martin R. Delany
Without uttering a word, I pick up the heavy saltcellar, and fling it violently against the French mirror.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman

British Dictionary definitions for fling

fling

/ (flɪŋ) /

verb flings, flinging or flung (flʌŋ) (mainly tr)

to throw, esp with force or abandon; hurl or toss

to put or send without warning or preparationto fling someone into jail

(also intr) to move (oneself or a part of the body) with abandon or speedhe flung himself into a chair

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

to cast aside; disregardshe flung away her scruples

to utter violently or offensively

poetic to give out; emit

noun

the act or an instance of flinging; toss; throw

a period or occasion of unrestrained, impulsive, or extravagant behaviourto have a fling

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

a trial; tryto have a fling at something different

Derived forms of fling

flinger, noun

Word Origin for fling

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

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

fling

Origin of fling

OTHER WORDS FROM fling

Words nearby fling

Words related to fling

How to use fling in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fling

Derived forms of fling

Word Origin for fling

Other Idioms and Phrases with fling