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flying

flying

592 1.0
Moving very quickly
  • adjective
  • /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
: rápido
  • The car zoomed past us, flying down the highway at incredible speeds.

Examples

  • And this dude comes flying in or out.

  • And it's, I mean, it's just, it's like flying beside a mountain.

  • You know, these Top Gun guys are flying antiques compared to that stuff.

  • This shirt makes me look like a flying squirrel and I love it.

  • Back in May, a new wave of giant flying insects migrated from overseas.

  • Tyson talked about flying cars, humanoid robots.

  • We've got the stationary owls, the flying owls, and the baby owl.

  • The athlete ran so fast, it looked like he was flying across the track.

  • The rocket took off into the sky, flying higher than any aircraft ever made.

Synonyms

swift
vsflying
133 1.4

Moving or happening very quickly

is used similarly but often as a neutral adjective for rapid movement
fast-flying
vsflying
1 3.7

Moving quickly through the air like a bird or a jet

is broader meaning very rapid movement not limited to aerial motion
winged
vsflying
  • Archaic
1 6.5

Moving very fast as if able to fly

is neutral and plain rather than literary or figurative

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Moving or happening at a low speed

15 5.3

Being very tired and slow with little interest or energy

Idioms

flying colors
  • Informal
22 3.2

A complete success showing that someone did very well

Someone does something very successfully

To do very well in a test or task, often easily

flying blind
  • Informal
9 7.9

Being without enough information or clear instructions in a difficult situation

1 9.5

To tell someone rudely to leave

1 9.9

To say in rude language that someone does not care at all

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

Make or improve something while people already use it, fixing problems as you go

Compounds

flying saucer
  • Archaic
37 5.6

A round flat object in the sky that people think comes from another planet

16 2.9

A school where people learn to fly airplanes

A flying object seen in the sky whose origin is not known and often thought to be from space

A small night animal that glides between trees using skin flaps

4 3.8

A tropical sea fish with large fins that glides above water

A United States military medal given for heroism or great achievement in flying

flying boat
  • Archaic
2 7.5

A large plane with a body like a boat that lets it land on and float on water

flying start
  • Informal
2 3.7

A very good beginning that gives an early advantage

flying carpet
  • Literature
2 8.3

A magic carpet that flies and carries people to far places

1 5.6

A police team that moves quickly to deal with emergencies

1 9.9

A made-up god used to make fun of religious arguments

flying buttress
  • Specialized
1 8.6

An outer support that stands away from a wall and connects to it by an arch on churches

flying lizard
  • Indian
1 7.4

A small tropical Asian forest lizard that glides between trees using skin flaps

1 4.6

Able to fly freely after being released into the wild

flying fig
  • Archaic
1 9.6

A thing that is not important or worth worrying about

1 7.4

To do dangerous tricks in an airplane, often at airshows

flying bomb
  • Archaic
1 7.9

A small flying machine with wings that carries a bomb to a target

1 3.7

Moving quickly through the air like a bird or a jet

An extinct animal with wings like a bat made of skin and supported by one long finger

1 3.5

A short trip to see someone or something

flying fox
  • Australian
1 8.2

A large bat that eats fruit and has a face like a fox and long wings

flying bridge
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A small open deck above where the captain stands to watch and help steer the ship

flying dragon
  • Indian
1 9.1

A small tropical Asian lizard that glides between trees using winglike flaps of skin

flying jib
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A small outer sail on the long pole at the front of a ship that catches wind

flying brick
  • Informal
1 8.6

A badly thrown or hit object that flies fast and misses the target

instrument flying
  • Specialized
1 6.7

To fly a plane using only instruments without seeing the ground or horizon

1 3.7

An area of land where small planes take off and land

flying mouse
  • Australian
1 8.6

A small animal like a mouse that glides between trees using skin between its legs

flying lemur
  • Philippine
1 8.9

A night animal that lives in trees in Southeast Asia and glides on skin flaps

A large North American squirrel that glides between trees using a skin flap

flying mare
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A wrestling move that throws an opponent over your shoulder with a quick twist

Flying Dutchman
  • Literature
1 9.9

A ghost ship said to sail the seas forever and bring bad luck

flying coffin
  • Informal
1 9.1

An unsafe plane that is likely to crash

A small night animal that glides between trees using a skin flap

blind flying
  • Archaic
7.4

Using only instruments to fly a plane when you cannot see outside

A flying fish with large front and back fins that lets it glide far above water

A small squirrel active at night that glides between trees using a skin flap

A small tree animal from Asia with fur flaps between its legs that let it glide at night

flying cat
  • Philippine
9.9

A night animal that lives in trees in Southeast Asia and glides using a skin fold from neck to tail

A simple tube-shaped jet engine that pushes air in short bursts and needs fast launch

A name for a fun children's character or ride in parks and shows

flying phalanger
  • Australian
9.9

A small Australian animal active at night that glides between trees using skin folds

A fish from warm seas with large fan-shaped side fins that glides underwater

flying gecko
  • Philippine
8.9

A small lizard with skin flaps on its sides, legs, and tail that glides short distances between trees

A tropical fish with very large fan-like side fins that glides along the sea floor

To make a kite fly in the air for fun outdoors

flying marmot
  • Indian
9.9

A small tree animal like a squirrel that glides using a fold of skin

flying opossum
  • Australian
8.9

A small night animal with skin flaps that glide between trees

A sea fish with large side and belly fins that glides above water

monoplane flying fish
  • Specialized
9.6

A fish with only the front fins enlarged that glides above water

A fish with only its front fins made large so it can glide above the water

How Fast

flying
592 1.0
rapid
264 1.3
fast
∞ 1.0
quick
112 1.0
slow
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

flying positive

Morphology

flying = fly (transparent) = fly + ing

Present-participle adjective formed from 'fly' indicating rapid movement; the relation to the verb is direct and clear.

Etymology

Flying comes from the verb fly, which makes you think of birds or objects moving quickly through the air, just like flight. That's why flying can describe something very swift or fast.