fly

UK: flaɪ | US: flaɪ

Definition

  1. v. to move through the air using wings

  2. v. to travel by aircraft

  3. n. a small winged insect (e.g., housefly)

  4. n. the opening of trousers with a zipper or buttons

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word "fly" originates from Old English flēogan, meaning "to take flight." It is a Germanic root shared with Dutch vliegen and German fliegen. The core meaning has remained remarkably stable, though it expanded to include insect names (from their airborne movement) and clothing terms (from the idea of "fastening" like wings).

Examples

  1. Birds fly south for the winter.

  2. We will fly to Paris next week.

  3. A fly landed on my sandwich.

  4. His jeans have a broken fly.

  5. The superhero can fly at incredible speeds.