Flight vs. Fly: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Flight" is a noun referring to the action of flying or a trip made by an aircraft, while "Fly" is a verb meaning to move through the air.
Key Differences
"Flight" as a noun encompasses the act of flying, typically referring to air travel or the movement of birds or insects through the air. In contrast, "fly" is a verb that describes the action of moving through the air, applicable to birds, insects, aircraft, and more.
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Nov 28, 2023
A "flight" can also refer to a specific journey made by an airplane or other aircraft, as in booking a flight. "Fly," however, is used to denote the act of piloting an aircraft or moving through the air, as in how birds or insects fly.
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Nov 28, 2023
"Flight" can be used metaphorically to describe a swift or sudden movement, or in phrases like "flight of stairs." The verb "fly" can also have metaphorical uses, like saying time flies, but its primary use is more literal.
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Nov 28, 2023
The term "flight" often pertains to the experience or the process of air travel, encompassing aspects like flight duration, airlines, and flight paths. "Fly" focuses on the act itself, whether it's a pilot flying a plane or a bird flying south for the winter.
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Nov 28, 2023
In essence, "flight" is a broader term that can refer to an instance of flying, while "fly" specifically refers to the action of moving through the air or operating an aircraft.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Refers to the action or trip of flying
Describes the act of moving through the air
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Usage
Can denote a specific air journey
Used to indicate the act of piloting or moving
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Examples
Booking a flight, flight of stairs
Birds fly, learning to fly a plane
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Metaphorical Use
Swift movement, series of events
Passing of time, moving swiftly
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Flight and Fly Definitions
Flight
A journey made through the air, especially in an aircraft.
I have a flight to catch early tomorrow morning.
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Nov 28, 2023
Flight
A series of steps, as in a flight of stairs.
He ran up the flight of stairs to reach the rooftop.
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Nov 28, 2023
Fly
To move or be sent through the air.
The ball will fly out of the stadium if he hits it hard enough.
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Nov 28, 2023
Flight
A swift or dramatic movement or escape.
Her sudden flight from the room left everyone surprised.
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Nov 28, 2023
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Flight
The motion of an object in or through a medium, especially through the earth's atmosphere or through space.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
The distance covered in such motion
The long flight from Seattle to Little Rock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To rise in or be carried through the air by the wind
A kite flying above the playground.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To move or be sent through the air with great speed
Bullets flying in every direction.
A plate that flew from my hands when I stumbled.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A scheduled airline run or trip into space
The 7:00 flight to New York.
The next flight of the space shuttle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To be communicated to many people
Rumors are flying about their breakup.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A number of aircraft in the US Air Force forming a subdivision of a squadron.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
An exuberant or transcendent effort or display
A flight of the imagination.
Flights of oratory.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A curved plate or flange that winds in a spiral around the center shaft of an auger, designed to transport loose material upward or backward along the shaft as the auger rotates. Also called flighting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Past tense and past participle flied (flīd) Baseball To hit a fly ball.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A set of small samples, as of different kinds of wine or beer, that are served at the same time for comparative tasting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To become suddenly emotional, especially angry
The driver flew into a rage.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(Informal) To gain acceptance or approval; go over
"However sophisticated the reasoning, this particular notion may not fly" (New York Times).
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
An instance of flying.
The migrating birds' flight took them to Africa.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(Nautical) To operate under (a particular flag)
A tanker that flies the Liberian flag.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
(collective) A collective term for doves or swallows.
A flight of swallows
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A trip made by an aircraft, particularly one between two cities or countries, which is often planned or reserved in advance.
The flight to Paris leaves at 7 o'clock tonight.
Where is the departure gate for flight 747? / Go straight down and to the right.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To carry or transport in an aircraft or spacecraft
Fly emergency supplies to a stricken area.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To pass over or through in flight
Flew the coastal route in record time.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A floor which is reached by stairs or escalators.
How many flights is it up?
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
The feathers on an arrow or dart used to help it follow an even path.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
(cricket) The movement of a spinning ball through the air - concerns its speed, trajectory and drift.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
The opening, or the fastening that closes this opening, on the front of a pair of pants.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
An aerodynamic surface designed to guide such a projectile's trajectory.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
A piece of protective fabric secured over a tent and often extended over the entrance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
Several sample glasses of a specific wine varietal or other beverage. The pours are smaller than a full glass and the flight will generally include three to five different samples.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
An episode of imaginative thinking or dreaming.
A flight of fancy; a flight of the imagination
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
To throw the ball in such a way that it has more airtime and more spin than usual.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Flies The area directly over the stage of a theater, containing overhead lights, drop curtains, and equipment for raising and lowering sets.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
To throw or kick something so as to send it flying with more loft or airtime than usual.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
The act of flying; a passing through the air by the help of wings; volitation; mode or style of flying.
Like the night owl's lazy flight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Any of numerous two-winged insects of the order Diptera, especially any of the family Muscidae, which includes the housefly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
The act of fleeing; the act of running away, to escape danger or expected evil; hasty departure.
Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Fain by flight to save themselves.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
Lofty elevation and excursion; a mounting; a soaring; as, a flight of imagination, ambition, folly.
Could he have kept his spirit to that flight,He had been happy.
His highest flights were indeed far below those of Taylor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
A fishing lure simulating something a fish eats, such as a mayfly or a minnow, made by attaching materials such as feathers, tinsel, and colored thread to a fishhook.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A number of beings or things passing through the air together; especially, a flock of birds flying in company; the birds that fly or migrate together; the birds produced in one season; as, a flight of arrows.
Swift flights of angels ministrant.
Like a flight of fowlScattered winds and tempestuous gusts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A kind of arrow for the longbow; also, the sport of shooting with it. See Shaft.
Challenged Cupid at the flight.
Not a flight drawn homeE'er made that haste that they have.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(zoology) Any insect of the order Diptera; characterized by having two wings (except for some wingless species), also called true flies.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(non-technical) Especially, any of the insects of the family Muscidae, such as the common housefly (other families of Diptera include mosquitoes and midges).
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A trip made by or in a flying vehicle, as an airplane, spacecraft, or aeronautical balloon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Any similar, but not closely related insect, such as a dragonfly or butterfly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A scheduled flight{8} on a commercial airline; as, the next flight leaves at 8 o'clock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(weightlifting) A chest exercise performed by moving extended arms from the sides to in front of the chest. (also flye)
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
An instance of traveling by air;
Flying was still an exciting adventure for him
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
The act of escaping physically;
He made his escape from the mental hospital
The canary escaped from its cage
His flight was an indication of his guilt
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(preceded by definite article) A simple dance in which the hands are shaken in the air, popular in the 1960s.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
Passing above and beyond ordinary bounds;
A flight of fancy
Flights of rhetoric
Flights of imagination
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
An act of flying.
There was a good wind, so I decided to give the kite a fly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A scheduled trip by plane between designated airports;
I took the noon flight to Chicago
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
The act of moving through the air, as in the flight of birds.
The graceful flight of the eagle was mesmerizing.
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Nov 28, 2023
Fly
(often plural) A strip of material (sometimes hiding zippers or buttons) at the front of a pair of trousers, pants, underpants, bootees, etc.
Ha-ha! Your flies are undone!
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Oct 19, 2023
Flight
A scheduled air service by an airline.
Their flight was delayed due to bad weather.
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Nov 28, 2023
Fly
(weightlifting) An exercise that involves wide opening and closing of the arms perpendicular to the shoulders.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(nautical) That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Two or more vanes set on a revolving axis, to act as a fanner, or to equalize or impede the motion of machinery by the resistance of the air, as in the striking part of a clock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(historical) A type of small, light, fast horse-drawn carriage that can be hired for transportation (sometimes pluralised flys).
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
In a knitting machine, the piece hinged to the needle, which holds the engaged loop in position while the needle is penetrating another loop; a latch..
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
A vibrating frame with fingers, attached to a power printing press for doing the same work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(intransitive) To travel through the air, another gas, or a vacuum, without being in contact with a grounded surface.
Birds of passage fly to warmer regions as it gets colder in winter.
The Concorde flew from Paris to New York faster than any other passenger airplane.
It takes about eleven hours to fly from Frankfurt to Hong Kong.
The little fairy flew home on the back of her friend, the giant eagle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To cause to fly travel or float in the air: to transport via air or the like.
Charles Lindbergh flew his airplane The Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic ocean.
Why don’t you go outside and fly kites, kids? The wind is just perfect.
Birds fly their prey to their nest to feed it to their young.
Each day the postal service flies thousands of letters around the globe.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(intransitive) To travel or proceed very fast; to hasten.
He flew down the hill on his bicycle.
It's five o'clock already. Doesn't time fly?
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(intransitive) To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly.
A door flies open
A bomb flies apart
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(intransitive) To proceed with great success.
His career is really flying at the moment.
One moment the company was flying high, the next it was on its knees.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To be accepted, come about or work out.
Let's see if that idea flies.
You know, I just don't think that's going to fly. Why don't you spend your time on something better?
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To be in the winged adult stage.
This species flies from late summer until frost.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To hit a fly ball; to hit a fly ball that is caught for an out. Compare ground (verb) and line (verb).
Jones flied to right in his last at-bat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
(slang) Well dressed, smart in appearance; in style, cool.
He's pretty fly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag.
Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around; rumor flies.
Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race.
The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an enemy or a coward flies. See Note under Flee.
Fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
Whither shall I fly to escape their hands ?
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly; - usually with a qualifying word; as, a door flies open; a bomb flies apart.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To cause to fly or to float in the air, as a bird, a kite, a flag, etc.
The brave black flag I fly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
To fly or flee from; to shun; to avoid.
Sleep flies the wretch.
To fly the favors of so good a king.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Any winged insect; esp., one with transparent wings; as, the Spanish fly; firefly; gall fly; dragon fly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
A familiar spirit; a witch's attendant.
A trifling fly, none of your great familiars.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
A kind of light carriage for rapid transit, plying for hire and usually drawn by one horse.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
The length of an extended flag from its staff; sometimes, the length from the "union" to the extreme end.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Two or more vanes set on a revolving axis, to act as a fanner, or to equalize or impede the motion of machinery by the resistance of the air, as in the striking part of a clock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
The piece hinged to the needle, which holds the engaged loop in position while the needle is penetrating another loop; a latch.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
The outer canvas of a tent with double top, usually drawn over the ridgepole, but so extended as to touch the roof of the tent at no other place.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
The fore flap of a bootee; also, a lap on trousers, overcoats, etc., to conceal a row of buttons.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
A batted ball that flies to a considerable distance, usually high in the air; also, the flight of a ball so struck; as, it was caught on the fly. Also called fly ball.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Flap consisting of a piece of canvas that can be drawn back to provide entrance to a tent
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
An opening in a garment that is closed by a zipper or buttons concealed by a fold of cloth
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Fisherman's lure consisting of a fishhook decorated to look like an insect
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Transport by aeroplane;
We fly flowers from the Caribbean to North America
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Travel in an airplane;
She is flying to Cincinnati tonight
Are we driving or flying?
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Display in the air or cause to float;
Fly a kite
All nations fly their flags in front of the U.N.
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Travel over (an area of land or sea) in an aircraft;
Lindbergh was the first to fly the Atlantic
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Oct 19, 2023
Fly
Decrease rapidly and disappear;
The money vanished in las Vegas
All my stock assets have vaporized
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can the term flight refer to non-aircraft movement?
Yes, such as in "flight of stairs" or "flight of fancy."
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Nov 28, 2023
What is a flight simulator?
A device that replicates aircraft flight in a realistic manner.
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Nov 28, 2023
Does fly always involve air travel?
Primarily, though it can metaphorically mean moving quickly.
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Nov 28, 2023
Is it difficult to learn to fly an airplane?
It requires significant training and practice.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is "flight delay" and "flight cancellation"?
A "flight delay" is when a flight departs or arrives later than scheduled, while a "flight cancellation" is when a flight is called off.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is "flight turbulence"?
"Flight turbulence" is sudden, irregular movements of an aircraft caused by atmospheric conditions.
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Nov 28, 2023
What does it mean to take a flight?
It means to travel by air, typically in an airplane.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is a "direct flight" vs. a "non-stop flight"?
A "direct flight" may have stops, but passengers stay on the same aircraft. A "non-stop flight" has no stops.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is a "connecting flight"?
A "connecting flight" requires passengers to change aircraft at a connecting airport to reach their final destination.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is "flight altitude"?
"Flight altitude" is the height above sea level at which an aircraft is flying.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is "flying solo"?
"Flying solo" means doing something on your own, without assistance or companionship.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is a "flyover" or "flyby"?
A "flyover" or "flyby" is a low-altitude flight over a specific area or event, often done for ceremonial or entertainment purposes.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is "flying high" in a figurative sense?
"Flying high" typically means feeling euphoric, successful, or achieving great heights.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can fish fly?
No, fish cannot fly in the air, but some species can leap out of the water and glide for short distances.
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Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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