intransitive verb flew, flown, flying
- to move through the air; specif.,
- to move through the air by using wings, as a bird does
- to travel through the air in an aircraft or through space in a spacecraft
- to be propelled through the air
- to operate an aircraft or spacecraft
- to wave or float in the air, as a flag or kite does
- to move swiftly: the door flew open
- to appear to pass swiftly: time flies
- to be used up swiftly: said of money, etc.
- to run away; flee
- Informal to be successful, acceptable, etc.: that explanation just won't fly
- to hunt with a hawk
- Baseball to hit a fly
Origin:
ME flien, flegen < OE fleogan, akin to MDu vlegen, Ger fliegen < IE *pleuk- < base *pleu-: see flow