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

• adventure
• chance
• crapshoot
• enterprise
• flutter [chiefly British]
• gamble
• speculation
• 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

At LaGuardia Airport in New York, airport workers were seen on April 24 handing out fliers urging Americans to get their REAL IDs ahead of the deadline. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Seemingly hoping to quell the backlash, the strange fliers seem like an attempt to push back by sowing discord. —ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025

Some operators are taking the initiative to reassure fliers. —Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 21 Apr. 2025

She’s held more open houses, sent out more fliers and posted about her properties on social media. —Derek Gilliam, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 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