Word: Fly

Pronunciation

/flaɪ/

Definitions

• Noun (n): An insect with two pairs of wings and a slender body, often capable of sustained flight. Example: “The bee and the butterfly are types of flies.”
• Verb (v):
  • To move through the air under control, typically by using wings. Example: “Birds fly south for the winter.”
  • To travel through the air in an aircraft. Example: “We’re flying to Paris tomorrow.”
  • To move or travel quickly. Informal usage: “The time flew by.”
  • To move one’s hand or an object through the air with a sweeping motion. Example: “She flew the kite high in the sky.”
  • (Of a flag) to be displayed or wave in the wind. Example: “The national flag was flying high on the mast.”
• Adjective (adj): Moving rapidly or smoothly through the air. Example: “A fly ball soared over the outfielder’s head.”

Phrases

• “Fly by night” describes something or someone temporary or unreliable.
• “Fly the coop” means to leave or escape suddenly.
• “Time flies” suggests that time passes quickly.
• “Let the cat out of the bag” (with ‘fly’ being part of the idiom “to give away the show”) means to unintentionally reveal a secret.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “A housefly buzzed around the kitchen.”
• Verb: “The eagle flew majestically across the canyon.”
• Adjective: “The jet flew so fast it became a blur against the sky.”

Synonyms

• Noun (for insect): Mosquito, gnat, moth
• Verb (for movement): Soar, glide, zoom, dart
• Adjective (for movement): Swift, rapid, nimble, quick