fly 1 (fl )v. flew (fl ), flown (fl n), fly·ing, flies (flz) v.intr.1. To engage in flight, especially: a. To move through the air by means of wings or winglike parts. b. To travel by air: We flew to Dallas. c. To operate an aircraft or spacecraft. 2. a. To rise in or be carried through the air by the wind: a kite flying above the playground. b. To float or flap in the air: pennants flying from the masthead. 3. To move or be sent through the air with great speed: bullets flying in every direction; a plate that flew from my hands when I stumbled. 4. a. To move with great speed; rush or dart: The children flew down the hall. Rumors were flying during their absence. b. To flee; escape. c. To hasten; spring: flew to her students' defense. 5. To pass by swiftly: a vacation flying by; youth that is soon flown. 6. To be dissipated; vanish: Their small inheritance was quickly flown. 7. past tense and past participle flied (fld) Baseball To hit a fly ball. 8. To undergo an explosive reaction; burst: The dropped plate flew into pieces. The motorist flew into a rage. 9. Informal To gain acceptance or approval; go over: "However sophisticated the reasoning, this particular notion may not fly" New York Times. v.tr.1. a. To cause to fly or float in the air: fly a kite; fly a flag. b. Nautical To operate under (a particular flag): a tanker that flies the Liberian flag. 2. a. To pilot (an aircraft or a spacecraft). b. To carry or transport in an aircraft or a spacecraft: fly emergency supplies to a stricken area. c. To pass over or through in flight: flew the coastal route in record time. d. To perform in a spacecraft or an aircraft: flew six missions into space. 3. a. To flee or run from: fly a place in panic. b. To avoid; shun: fly temptation. n. pl. flies 1. The act of flying; flight. 2. a. A fold of cloth that covers a fastening of a garment, especially one on the front of trousers. b. The fastening or opening covered by such a fold. 3. A flap that covers an entrance or forms a rooflike extension for a tent or the canopy of a vehicle. 4. A flyleaf. 5. Baseball A fly ball. 6. a. The span of a flag from the staff to the outer edge. b. The outer edge of a flag. 7. A flywheel. 8. flies The area directly over the stage of a theater, containing overhead lights, drop curtains, and equipment for raising and lowering sets. 9. Chiefly British A one-horse carriage, especially one for hire. Phrasal Verb: fly at To attack fiercely; assault: The dogs flew at each other's throats. Idioms: fly high To be elated: They were flying high after their first child was born. fly off the handle Informal To become suddenly enraged: flew off the handle when the train was finally canceled. let fly1. To shoot, hurl, or release: The troops let fly a volley of gunfire. 2. To lash out; assault: The mayor let fly with an angry attack on her critics. on the fly1. On the run; in a hurry: took lunch on the fly. 2. While in the air; in flight: caught the ball on the fly.
[Middle English flien, from Old English fl ogan; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.]
fly a·ble adj. |
fly 2 (fl)n. pl. flies 1. a. Any of numerous two-winged insects of the order Diptera, especially any of the family Muscidae, which includes the housefly. b. Any of various other flying insects, such as the caddis fly. 2. A fishing lure simulating a fly, made by attaching materials such as feathers, tinsel, and colored thread to a fishhook. Idiom: fly in the ointment A detrimental circumstance or detail; a drawback.
[Middle English flie, from Old English floge; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.] |
fly 1 Verb [flies, flying, flew, flown] 1. to move through the air on wings or in an aircraft 2. to control the flight of (an aircraft) 3. to float, flutter, display, or be displayed in the air: the Red Cross flag flew at each corner of the compound 4. to transport or be transported through the air by aircraft, wind, etc. 5. to move very quickly or suddenly: the front door flew open 6. to pass quickly: how time flies 7. to escape from (an enemy or a place) 8. fly a kite to release information or take a step in order to test public opinion 9. fly at to attack (someone) 10. fly high Informal to have a high aim 11. let fly Informal to lose one's temper: a young child letting fly at you in a sudden moment of temper Noun pl flies 1. Also: (flies) a closure that conceals a zip, buttons, or other fastening, as on trousers 2. a flap forming the entrance to a tent 3. flies Theatre the space above the stage, used for storing scenery [Old English flēogan]
fly 2 Noun pl flies 1. a small insect with two pairs of wings 2. any of various similar but unrelated insects, such as the dragonfly 3. Angling a lure made from a fish-hook attached with feathers to resemble a fly 4. fly in the ointment Informal a slight flaw that detracts from value or enjoyment 5. fly on the wall a person who watches others, while not being noticed himself or herself 6. there are no flies on him or her Informal he or she is no fool [Old English flēoge]
fly 3 Adjective Slang, chiefly Brit sharp and cunning [origin unknown]
fly (fl) Any of numerous insects of the order Diptera, having one pair of wings and large compound eyes. Flies include the houseflies, horseflies, and mosquitoes. See more at dipteran. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. |  fly - two-winged insects characterized by active flightDiptera, order Diptera - a large order of insects having a single pair of wings and sucking or piercing mouths; includes true flies and mosquitoes and gnats and crane flies dipteran, dipteron, dipterous insect, two-winged insects - insects having usually a single pair of functional wings (anterior pair) with the posterior pair reduced to small knobbed structures and mouth parts adapted for sucking or lapping or piercing alula, calypter - scalelike structure between the base of the wing and the halter of a two-winged fly blow fly, blowfly - large usually hairy metallic blue or green fly; lays eggs in carrion or dung or wounds tachina fly - bristly fly whose larvae live parasitically in caterpillars and other insects; important in control of noxious insects gadfly - any of various large flies that annoy livestock bee fly - hairy nectar-eating fly that resembles a bee; larvae are parasitic on larvae of bees and related insects Haematobia irritans, horn fly - small black European fly introduced into North America; sucks blood from cattle especially at the base of the horn | | 2. |  fly - flap consisting of a piece of canvas that can be drawn back to provide entrance to a tentflap - any broad thin and limber covering attached at one edge; hangs loose or projects freely; "he wrote on the flap of the envelope" | | 3. | fly - an opening in a garment that is closed by a zipper or by buttons concealed under a fold of clothgarment - an article of clothing; "garments of the finest silk" opening - a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made; "they left a small opening for the cat at the bottom of the door" | | 4. |  fly - (baseball) a hit that flies up in the airhitting, striking, hit - the act of contacting one thing with another; "repeated hitting raised a large bruise"; "after three misses she finally got a hit" blast - a very long fly ball line drive, liner - (baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter; "the batter hit a liner to the shortstop" flare - (baseball) a fly ball hit a short distance into the outfield Texas leaguer - (baseball) a fly ball that falls between and infielder and an outfielder baseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League ball in the area"; "play ball!" | | 5. | fly - fisherman's lure consisting of a fishhook decorated to look like an insectdry fly - a fly (fisherman's lure) that skims the surface of the water fish lure, fisherman's lure - (angling) any bright artificial bait consisting of plastic or metal mounted with hooks and trimmed with feathers streamer fly - an artificial fly that has wings extending back beyond the crook of the fishhook wet fly - fisherman's fly that floats under the surface of the water | | Verb | 1. | fly - travel through the air; be airborne; "Man cannot fly"go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" fly - travel over (an area of land or sea) in an aircraft; "Lindbergh was the first to fly the Atlantic" buzz - fly low; "Planes buzzed the crowds in the square" flight - fly in a flock; "flighting wild geese" soar - fly upwards or high in the sky hover - hang in the air; fly or be suspended above | | 2. | fly - move quickly or suddenly; "He flew about the place"move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion; "He moved his hand slightly to the right" | | 3. | fly - operate an airplane; "The pilot flew to Cuba"air travel, aviation, air - travel via aircraft; "air travel involves too much waiting in airports"; "if you've time to spare go by air" control, operate - handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever" fly - transport by aeroplane; "We fly flowers from the Caribbean to North America" fly - travel in an airplane; "she is flying to Cincinnati tonight"; "Are we driving or flying?" fly - travel over (an area of land or sea) in an aircraft; "Lindbergh was the first to fly the Atlantic" fly blind - fly an airplane solely by relying on instruments fly contact - fly a plane by using visible landmarks or points of reference solo - fly alone, without a co-pilot or passengers glide - fly in or as if in a glider plane balloon - ride in a hot-air balloon; "He tried to balloon around the earth but storms forced him to land in China" | | 4. | fly - transport by aeroplane; "We fly flowers from the Caribbean to North America"carry, transport - move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body; "You must carry your camping gear"; "carry the suitcases to the car"; "This train is carrying nuclear waste"; "These pipes carry waste water into the river" airlift, lift - fly people or goods to or from places not accessible by other means; "Food is airlifted into Bosnia" | | 5. | fly - cause to fly or float; "fly a kite"kite - fly a kite; "Kids were kiting in the park"; "They kited the Red Dragon model" fly - display in the air or cause to float; "fly a kite"; "All nations fly their flags in front of the U.N." | | 6. | fly - be dispersed or disseminated; "Rumors and accusations are flying"go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" | | 7. | fly - change quickly from one emotional state to another; "fly into a rage"change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night" | | 8. |  fly - pass away rapidly; "Time flies like an arrow"; "Time fleeing beneath him"vaporize, vanish, fly - decrease rapidly and disappear; "the money vanished in las Vegas"; "all my stock assets have vaporized" | | 9. | fly - travel in an airplane; "she is flying to Cincinnati tonight"; "Are we driving or flying?"air travel, aviation, air - travel via aircraft; "air travel involves too much waiting in airports"; "if you've time to spare go by air" red-eye - travel on an overnight flight; "The candidate red-eyed from California to the East Coast the night before the election to give a last stump speech" travel - undergo transportation as in a vehicle; "We travelled North on Rte. 508" | | 10. | fly - display in the air or cause to float; "fly a kite"; "All nations fly their flags in front of the U.N."fly - cause to fly or float; "fly a kite" show - make visible or noticeable; "She showed her talent for cooking"; "Show me your etchings, please" | | 11. | fly - run away quickly; "He threw down his gun and fled"break - make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing; "The ranks broke" elope, run off - run away secretly with one's beloved; "The young couple eloped and got married in Las Vegas" fly the coop, head for the hills, hightail it, lam, run away, scarper, scat, take to the woods, turn tail, run, bunk, break away, escape - flee; take to one's heels; cut and run; "If you see this man, run!"; "The burglars escaped before the police showed up" high-tail - retreat at full speed; "The actress high-tailed to her villa when reporters began to follow her to the restaurant" defect, desert - desert (a cause, a country or an army), often in order to join the opposing cause, country, or army; "If soldiers deserted Hitler's army, they were shot" | | 12. | fly - travel over (an area of land or sea) in an aircraft; "Lindbergh was the first to fly the Atlantic"fly, wing - travel through the air; be airborne; "Man cannot fly" | | 13. | fly - hit a flybaseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League ball in the area"; "play ball!" hit - cause to move by striking; "hit a ball" | | 14. |  fly - decrease rapidly and disappear; "the money vanished in las Vegas"; "all my stock assets have vaporized"decrease, diminish, lessen, fall - decrease in size, extent, or range; "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper" fell, vanish, fly - pass away rapidly; "Time flies like an arrow"; "Time fleeing beneath him" | | Adj. | 1. | fly - (British informal) not to be deceived or hoodwinkedcolloquialism - a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech alert, watchful - engaged in or accustomed to close observation; "caught by a couple of alert cops"; "alert enough to spot the opportunity when it came"; "constantly alert and vigilant, like a sentinel on duty" |
fly 1 verb 3. airlift, send by plane, take by plane, take in an aircraft verb 6. rush, race, shoot, career, speed, tear, dash, hurry, barrel (along) ( informal), chiefly U.S., Canad. sprint, bolt, dart, zoom, hare Brit. ( informal) hasten, whizz ( informal) scoot, scamper, burn rubber ( informal) be off like a shot ( informal) verb 7. pass swiftly, pass, glide, slip away, roll on, flit, elapse, run its course, go quickly verb 8. leave, disappear, get away, depart, run, escape, flee, take off, run from, shun, clear out ( informal) light out ( informal) abscond, decamp, take flight, do a runner ( slang) run for it, cut and run ( informal) fly the coop U.S., Canad. ( informal) beat a retreat, make a quick exit, make a getaway, show a clean pair of heels, skedaddle ( informal) hightail ( informal), chiefly U.S. take a powder U.S., Canad. ( slang) hasten away, make your escape, take it on the lam U.S., Canad. ( slang) take to your heels let fly ( Informal) lose your temper, lash out, burst forth, keep nothing back, give free rein, let (someone) have it let something fly throw, launch, cast, hurl, shoot, fire, fling, chuck ( informal) sling, lob ( informal) hurtle, let off, heave
fly 2
fly 3 adjective ( Slang), chiefly Brit. cunning, knowing, sharp, smart, careful, shrewd, astute, on the ball ( informal) canny, wide-awake, nobody's fool, not born yesterday  Translations fly [flaɪ] [ pt flew, pp flown] n ( insect) → mosca; fly away vi [bird, insect] → irse volando he flew in from Bilbao → llegó en avión desde Bilbaofly off vi → irse volando fly out vi → irse en avión
 fly [flaɪ] [ flew , pt , flown , pp ] [fluː, fləun] n (= insect) → mouche f; he flew in yesterday → il est arrivé hier (par avion)fly out vi → partir (par avion)
 fly [flaɪ] [ flew , pt , flown , pp ] n → Fliege f; ( on trousers) (also: flies) → (Hosen)schlitz mpieces of metal went flying everywhere → überall flogen Metallteile herum; fly away fly vi → wegfliegen he flew out yesterday → er ist gestern hingeflogen
 fly [flaɪ] n ( insect) → mosca; (on trousers) (also: flies) → bracchetta vb [pt flew, pp flown] [fluː, fləun]
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fly biting, fly catching
