fly
/flaɪ/ IELTSAcademic
verb
to move through the air, using wings or an aircraft. It can also mean to travel by plane.
- Birds fly south in winter.
- We flew to Delhi last night.
- The kite flew high above us.
noun
a small winged insect. It can also mean the action of flying, or a fastener on trousers.
- A fly landed on my tea.
- The fly is open.
- Flying was easier than driving.
Adinary Nuance
Fly is the general word for moving through the air. Use soar for smooth, high flying, and glide for gentle, easy movement. For travel, fly is more natural than “go by plane” in many contexts.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bay
- Spanish
- volar
- Chinese
- 飞
- Japanese
- 飛ぶ
- Korean
- 날다
Etymology
Old English flygan and flēogan meant “to fly” and “to move through the air.” They come from Germanic roots. The word has stayed common in English for many centuries.
Common phrases
fly highfly byfly awayfly a plane
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is fly a verb or a noun?
- It is both. The verb means move through the air, and the noun can mean an insect or the act of flying.
- What is the difference between fly and soar?
- Fly is general. Soar suggests high, smooth flying, often with little effort.
- Can I say fly for taking a plane?
- Yes. In travel, people often say “fly to” a place or “fly from” a city.
- Is fly common in academic writing?
- Yes, especially in science, travel, and general English. The noun for the insect is also very common.