Word
fling
US/ˈfɫɪŋ/
UK/flˈɪŋ/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
fling
Past
flung
Past participle
flung
Definitions
01to throw forcefully
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to throw something suddenly and with a lot of force.
v. to hurl or cast something with sudden force or violence. Transitive, requiring a direct object.
“In a fit of anger, he flung his phone across the room.”
“The protesters flung stones at the barricades, though their efforts did little to breach the reinforced steel gates.”
02to move abruptly
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to move yourself or a part of your body quickly and suddenly.
v. to move oneself or a limb in an abrupt, forceful, or impatient manner. Often used reflexively or with a prepositional phrase.
“She flung herself onto the bed and started to cry.”
“Disgusted by the verdict, the defendant flung himself out of the courtroom before the guards could intervene.”
03short romance
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a short sexual or romantic relationship that is not intended to be serious.
n. a brief, casual romantic or sexual relationship, typically characterized by a lack of long-term commitment.
“It was just a summer fling, and they stopped talking once college started.”
“She dismissed the encounter as a harmless holiday fling, refusing to let it complicate her professional life back home.”
Antonyms
04an attempt
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal
n. a try at doing something, even if you are not sure you will succeed.
n. an attempt or trial at an activity, often used in the phrase 'have a fling at'.
“Even though she had no experience, she decided to have a fling at acting.”
“After years in finance, he decided to have a fling at organic farming, despite his lack of agricultural knowledge.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verb 'to have' or 'to go on'.
Real-World Examples
“You’re hitting it off with a new fling or friend when suddenly, they drop off the face of Earth without warning and with absolutely no explanation.” “Yotam Ottolenghi’s sweetcorn and avocado with sweet chilli and lime sauce: a final fling for the barbecue so long as the weather plays ball.” Etymology
From Middle English fling, from the verb (see below). Compare Icelandic flengur (“a fast sprint”).
From Middle English flyngen, from Old Norse flengja (“to whip”), from Proto-Germanic flangijaną (“to beat, whip”), from Proto-Indo-European pleh₂k- (“to beat”), from Proto-Indo-European pleh₂k-, pleh₂g- (“to beat”). Cognate with Icelandic flengja (“to spank”), Norwegian flengja (“to rip, tear, or fling open”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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