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fly2

Syllabification: (fly)
Pronunciation: /flī/

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Definition of fly

noun (plural flies /flīz/)

  • a flying insect of a large order characterized by a single pair of transparent wings and sucking (and often also piercing) mouthparts. Flies are noted as vectors of disease. See also Diptera.
    • Order Diptera: numerous families
  • [usually in combination] used in names of flying insects of other orders, e.g., butterfly, dragonfly, firefly.
  • an infestation of flying insects on a plant or animal:cattle to be treated for warble fly
  • a natural or artificial flying insect used as bait in fishing, especially a mayfly.

Phrases

die (or drop) like flies

die or collapse in large numbers:people in the area seemed to die like flies in the winter

a fly in the ointment

a minor irritation that spoils the success or enjoyment of something.

fly on the wall

an unnoticed observer of a particular situation.
[as adjective] denoting a filmmaking technique whereby events are observed realistically with minimum interference rather than acted out under direction:a fly-on-the-wall documentary

wouldn't hurt (or harm) a fly

(of a person or animal) inoffensive and harmless.

Origin:

Old English flȳge, flēoge, denoting any winged insect; related to Dutch vlieg and German Fliege, also to fly1

fly in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of fly in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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