Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

tent fly

American  

noun

  1. fly.


Etymology

Origin of tent fly

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

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.

Take the opportunity to explore your patch of nature: sleep with the tent fly off so you can stargaze, forgo camping chairs in favor of a blanket on the grass.

From Slate • May 22, 2020

I consumed one of my stints on the beach by rigging a shade awning with a tent fly and some driftwood, a contraption that whipped about our heads like a ripped mainsail in a hurricane.

From Washington Post • Nov. 19, 2015

Before she could get out of the car and go into the bar, she saw the tent fly into the air.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2012

That lasted most of the night without letup, yet I had a fairly good sleep in my tent despite the incessant flapping of the tent fly.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2010

He saw it standing by the tent fly when he closed his eyes to sleep; he dreamed of it; he sought it out with his eyes when he first awoke.

From The Boy Scouts Book of Campfire Stories by Mathiews, Franklin K.

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "tent fly" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com