Fly
/flaɪ/
Definitions
7 meaningsTo move through the air.
/flaɪ/
To move through the air using wings or a powered engine.
The eagle can fly high in the sky.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're a bird, swooping and gliding through the air. That's what it means to fly. Or, if you take a plane somewhere, you are also flying!
👶 For kids: To go through the air like a bird or a plane!
More Examples
Butterflies fly from flower to flower.
I learned to fly a kite.
How It's Used
"Birds fly south for the winter."
"The plane will fly to London tomorrow."
To pilot or operate an aircraft.
/flaɪ/
To operate an aircraft.
She flies a commercial airliner.
💡 Simply: When you're in control of a plane and making it go where you want, that's flying. Like a pilot at the steering wheel, but in the sky!
👶 For kids: To be in control of a plane and make it go!
More Examples
The experienced pilot can fly through turbulence with ease.
He dreamt of being able to fly a fighter jet.
How It's Used
"He learned to fly a small airplane."
To travel by airplane or other aircraft.
/flaɪ/
To travel by aircraft.
I fly to see my family every Christmas.
💡 Simply: If you go somewhere on a plane, like to visit Grandma, you fly. It's a quick way to get around.
👶 For kids: To go somewhere in an airplane!
More Examples
They flew to Hawaii for their honeymoon.
It is faster to fly than drive across the country.
How It's Used
"We fly to Paris next week."
To move rapidly; to rush.
/flaɪ/
To move or go somewhere quickly.
She flew to the store to buy milk.
💡 Simply: When you run really fast, or speed off in a car – you fly. It means going quickly!
👶 For kids: To go somewhere super fast!
More Examples
He flew into a rage after hearing the insult.
The news spread like wildfire; he flew over the city.
How It's Used
"He flew out of the room as soon as he heard the news."
A small insect of the order Diptera, having two wings and often considered a pest.
/flaɪ/
A small insect with wings, often buzzing.
There was a fly buzzing around the picnic basket.
💡 Simply: It's a tiny bug that can buzz around and has wings, like a housefly or a fruit fly.
👶 For kids: A little bug that can buzz and has wings!
More Examples
She swatted the fly away.
The fly landed on the cake.
How It's Used
"A house fly landed on the window."
An artificial lure used in fly fishing.
/flaɪ/
A fishing lure or artificial bait.
He chose a dry fly to attract trout.
💡 Simply: It's like a fake bug that fishermen use to trick fish into biting!
👶 For kids: A fake bug you use to catch fish!
More Examples
The angler carefully tied a new fly to his line.
The fly bobbed on the surface of the water.
How It's Used
"He cast a fly into the river."
The part of a garment, such as trousers or a skirt, that covers the opening at the front.
/flaɪ/
The flap of a garment, especially trousers.
He noticed his fly was undone.
💡 Simply: The part of your pants that buttons or zips up in the front. It's called the fly!
👶 For kids: The zipper part of your pants!
More Examples
The zipper on his fly was broken.
The fly of the pants was neatly done.
How It's Used
"He adjusted his fly."
Idioms & expressions
fly by the seat of one's pants
To improvise and react to a situation as it unfolds; to handle a problem or situation without a plan.
"We didn't have a plan, so we had to fly by the seat of our pants."
time flies
Used to express that time passes very quickly.
"Time flies when you're having fun."
a fly in the ointment
A minor issue or problem that spoils a situation or agreement.
"The wedding was perfect except for one fly in the ointment – the caterer was late."
fly off the handle
To suddenly become very angry.
"He flew off the handle when he found out his car was stolen."
From Old English *flēogan*, from Proto-Germanic *fleuganą*. Related to words for flying in other Germanic languages.
The word 'fly' (verb) has existed in English since Old English times, demonstrating the fundamental human experience of air travel or movement. The noun form referring to the insect is even older.
Memory tip
Imagine a bird with its wings outstretched, soaring through the sky.
Word Origin
"To move through the air."