flier

noun

fli·​er ˈflī(-ə)r 

variants or less commonly flyer

1

: one that flies

She's a frequent flier on that airline.

specifically : airman

He was a flier on an aircraft carrier.

2

: a reckless or speculative venture

—usually used in the phrase take a flier

He took a flier in politics soon after getting his degree.

3

usually flyer : an advertising circular

Flyers announcing the concert were distributed throughout the city.

Synonyms

• chance
• gamble
• throw
• venture

Examples of flier in a Sentence

These birds are graceful fliers.

They distributed flyers announcing the concert throughout the city.

Recent Examples on the Web

But don’t give up on your frequent flier miles just yet. —Katherine Fan, AFAR Media, 21 Aug. 2025

The foolproof way travel writers and frequent fliers are achieving carry-on-only travel is called the 3-3-3 packing method. —Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025

The compression socks have more than 14,000 five-star reviews, not only from frequent fliers and flight attendants but nurses as well. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 15 July 2025

American Airlines fliers will have more ways to reach Europe and South America next spring and summer, thanks to a major international route expansion plan. —AFAR Media, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flier

• frequent-flier
• take a flier

Rhymes for flier

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flyer
• friar
• frier

Kids Definition

flier

noun

fli·​er

variants also flyer

ˈflī(-ə)r

1

: one that flies

especially : pilot entry 1 sense 3

2

: an undertaking (as in business) that involves much risk

3

: an advertising circular