ENGLISH
REFERENCE

flying

n. · adj.
US //ˈfɫaɪɪŋ// UK //flˈaɪɪŋ// fly·ing
  1. 1 travel by air (n.)
    A2 Elementary Aviation

    the activity of traveling in an aircraft or moving through the air.

    the action or process of sustained motion through the air, typically by aircraft or birds.

    Example

    I am not very fond of flying, especially during long international trips.

    Example

    Advances in commercial flying have made global travel accessible to millions, though environmental concerns regarding carbon emissions remain a significant challenge.
  2. 2 able to fly (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    describing something that has wings or can move through the air.

    capable of flight or characterized by the ability to move through the air.

    Example

    The museum has a large collection of flying insects from the rainforest.

    Example

    The engineer pointed out that the flying model was significantly more aerodynamic than the static prototype used for the initial display.
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  1. 3 very fast or hurried (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    done very quickly or for a very short time.

    brief, hurried, or moving with great speed; often used in the phrase 'a flying visit'.

    Example

    He only had time for a flying visit to his parents before his train left.

    Example

    The CEO made a flying visit to the regional office to approve the merger before departing for the international summit.
  2. 4 moving on hydrofoils (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical nautical

    when a boat lifts out of the water and moves on special wings.

    the action of sustained hydrodynamic lift on hydrofoils, lifting the vessel hull out of the water for rapid motion.

    Example

    The new racing yacht looks like it is flying when it reaches high speeds.

    Example

    Modern competitive sailing has been transformed by flying, as hydrofoil technology allows boats to reach speeds far exceeding the actual wind velocity.
    • foiling
Etymology 1

From Middle English fleynge, fleeʒinge, flihinde, vlyinde, vleoinde, flyand, ffleghand, flighand (also fleoninde, fleonninde, etc.), from Old English flēogende, from Proto-Germanic fleugandz (“flying”), present participle of Proto-Germanic fleuganą (“to fly”), equivalent to fly + -ing. Cognate with Saterland Frisian fljoogend (“flying”), West Frisian fleanend (“flying”), Dutch vliegend (“flying”), German Low German flegend (“flying”), German fliegend (“flying”), Danish flyvende (“flying”), Swedish flygande (“flying”), Icelandic fljúgandi (“flying”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English flyinge, fleyng, fleyinge, fleynge, fleghyng, fleiʒeyng, flyeghynge, equivalent to fly + -ing. Cognate with Danish flyvning (“flying”), Swedish flygning (“flying”), Norwegian flyvning, flygning, flyging, flying (“flying”).

Idioms4 entries

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