- a variation of flier.
flyer
Americannoun
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flyers
plural
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Textiles.
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a rotating device that adds twist to the slubbing or roving and winds the stock onto a spindle or bobbin in a uniform manner.
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a similar device for adding twist to yarn.
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noun
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a person or thing that flies or moves very fast
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an aviator or pilot
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informal a long flying leap; bound
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a fast-moving machine part, esp one having periodic motion
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a rectangular step in a straight flight of stairs Compare winder
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athletics an informal word for flying start
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a speculative business transaction
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a small handbill
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of flyer
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at fly 2, -er 1
Explanation
A flyer can be something or someone that flies on a plane, but another meaning is a handbill or advertising sheet handed out to people on the street. Because it's designed to go far, it gained the name flyer. As far back as the 15th Century, Middle English used the word flyer to refer to something that travels quickly through the air, generally a bird or projectile. The connection with a person came about later, when air travel became more common. If you are a frequent flyer, you travel a lot. If you frequently post flyers, maybe you're in a band. Note: it doesn't matter if you spell the word flyer or "flier," as both are correct, but don't use both in one piece of writing.
Vocabulary lists containing flyer
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He was described as a very experienced wingsuit flyer - which is a type of skydiving.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
She’s not a good flyer and has always driven.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Brentford are off to an absolute flyer - smashing Tottenham then hitting Birmingham for six or seven.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
A flyer featuring a pink background was the top Instagram post on California state superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw’s page on Saturday morning.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026
I put the flyer on my desk and go over to my closet.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
American Airlines wants its flyers to have screens – and not just the ones its passengers bring on board with them.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Delta and United have been among the pioneers of segmentation in economy, and they’ve also focused on attracting richer flyers.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
Airlines see it as a marketing tool for their higher-paying flyers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
The vendors posted flyers and made an occasion of it.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
“Okay,” my mom said, “we can distribute flyers tomorrow at the festival. We must make the people of Canal Grove understand what’s going on. But for now let’s get ready for the dinner shift.”
From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
