Fling
/flɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo throw or cast something with force.
/flɪŋ/
To throw or hurl something with force.
He flung the ball across the yard.
💡 Simply: Think of it as a quick, forceful toss. Like when you toss a frisbee to a friend or slam a door shut when you're upset.
👶 For kids: To throw something hard and fast.
More Examples
She flung her keys onto the table.
The dog flung himself at the door when he heard the mailman.
How It's Used
"The quarterback flung the football downfield."
"She flung the door open in anger."
To move suddenly, often with energy or force.
/flɪŋ/
To move or go suddenly or violently.
The car flung into the ditch after hitting the ice.
💡 Simply: It's like jumping or diving into something quickly. Like when you flop onto your bed after a long day, you're flinging yourself.
👶 For kids: To move your body quickly.
More Examples
She flung herself into his arms.
The door flung open in the wind.
How It's Used
"The ship was flung about by the storm."
"He flung himself onto the couch after work."
A short, passionate relationship.
/flɪŋ/
A brief, usually passionate relationship or affair.
It was just a brief summer fling.
💡 Simply: A quick romance, like a summer romance, or a fun, short relationship.
👶 For kids: A short-lived friendship or relationship.
More Examples
Their relationship began as a drunken fling one night.
He had a fling with his coworker.
How It's Used
"She had a summer fling with a lifeguard."
"The novel explored the concept of a romantic fling during a vacation."
Idioms & expressions
fling oneself into something
To do something with great enthusiasm and energy, often without thinking about the risks.
"She flung herself into learning Spanish."
have a fling
To have a short, casual romantic relationship or affair.
"They had a fling during their summer vacation."
From Old English *flingan* 'to cast, throw'. Related to words in other Germanic languages.
The word 'fling' has been used since Old English times to describe a quick, forceful throwing action.
Memory tip
Imagine a pitcher FLINGING a ball towards home plate.
Word Origin
"to cast, throw"