# flying

/ˈfɫaɪɪŋ/ (US) · /flˈaɪɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flying
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. travel by air

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- I am not very fond of flying, especially during long international trips.
- Advances in commercial flying have made global travel accessible to millions, though environmental concerns regarding carbon emissions remain a significant challenge.

### 2. able to fly

adjective · CEFR A2

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

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

- The museum has a large collection of flying insects from the rainforest.
- The engineer pointed out that the flying model was significantly more aerodynamic than the static prototype used for the initial display.

### 3. very fast or hurried

adjective · CEFR B2

done very quickly or for a very short time.

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

- He only had time for a flying visit to his parents before his train left.
- The CEO made a flying visit to the regional office to approve the merger before departing for the international summit.

### 5. moving on hydrofoils

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The new racing yacht looks like it is flying when it reaches high speeds.
- Modern competitive sailing has been transformed by flying, as hydrofoil technology allows boats to reach speeds far exceeding the actual wind velocity.

## Examples

- I am nervous about flying in a small plane.
- Many people find that flying is the fastest way to travel across the country for business trips.
- While some passengers enjoy the convenience of flying, others find the logistical challenges of modern airports to be increasingly stressful and time-consuming.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.