Skip to main content
flying

flying

4.4
Happening quickly and lasting only a short time
  • adjective
  • /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
translation icon : rápido
  • She paid a flying visit to her grandparents on her way to the airport.

Examples

  • He cast a flying glance at the report before the meeting began.

  • They made a flying inspection of the site, finishing in under fifteen minutes.

  • She made a flying visit to Paris.

  • I only had a flying glance at the report.

  • He cast a flying glance at the report before the meeting began.

  • She paid a flying visit to her grandparents on her way to the airport.

  • They made a flying inspection of the site, finishing in under fifteen minutes.

Synonyms

fast
vsflying
1.0

Moving or happening quickly

is instead a brief, hurried action without staying long
quick
vsflying
1.0

Happening or done very fast without delay

is a brief visit or glance that does not stay long

Antonyms

69 3.9

Continuing for a longer time than usual

11 4.0

Lasting longer than usual

Idioms

flying colors
  • Informal
20 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
7 7.9

Being without enough information or clear instructions in a difficult situation

Start a new activity very successfully and make quick progress

1 9.9

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

1 9.5

To tell someone rudely to leave

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

Compounds

flying saucer
  • Archaic
15 5.6

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

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

Flying Dutchman
  • Literature
3 9.9

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

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
1 3.7

A very good beginning that gives an early advantage

1 1.6

To make a kite fly in the air for fun outdoors

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 carpet
  • Literature
1 8.3

A magic carpet that flies and carries people to far places

flying fig
  • Archaic
1 9.6

A thing that is not important or worth worrying about

A small night animal that glides between trees using skin flaps

flying lizard
  • Indian
1 7.4

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

1 7.4

To do dangerous tricks in an airplane, often at airshows

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

1 3.7

Moving quickly through the air like a bird or a jet

flying bomb
  • Archaic
1 7.9

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

flying coffin
  • Informal
1 9.1

An unsafe plane that is likely to crash

1 3.8

A tropical sea fish with large fins that glides above water

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

A school where people learn to fly airplanes

1 5.6

A police team that moves quickly to deal with emergencies

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

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 brick
  • Informal
8.6

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

flying bridge
  • Specialized
7.9

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

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

flying dragon
  • Indian
9.1

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

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

3.7

An area of land where small planes take off and land

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

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

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

flying jib
  • Jargon
9.9

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

flying lemur
  • Philippine
8.9

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

flying mare
  • Jargon
9.9

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

flying marmot
  • Indian
9.9

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

flying mouse
  • Australian
8.6

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

flying opossum
  • Australian
8.9

A small night animal with skin flaps that glide between trees

Able to fly freely after being released into the wild

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

instrument flying
  • Specialized
6.7

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

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

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

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

How Brief

flying
4.4
brief
587 2.0
short
1.0
extended
11 4.0
long
1.0

Surface Forms

flying positive

Morphology

flying = fly (semi-transparent) = fly + ing

Adjectival -ing from 'fly' conveys quickness, but the idiomatic use in phrases like 'flying visit' emphasizes brevity rather than literal aerial motion, making the meaning somewhat figurative.

Etymology

Flying in phrases like 'a flying visit' is a useful image: think of a bird that 'flies by' quickly, which gives us the idea of passing in a short time. A helpful way to remember it is that flying here means brief and hurried.