Fling Meaning
/ˈflɪŋ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn act of throwing, often violently.
nounAn act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements, especially in a dance.
Sentence Examples
He gave the stone a fling.
Youth must have its fling.
Sami was having a fling with his secretary.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Angry, he decided to ____ his keys across the room, hitting the wall with a loud thud.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She decided to ____ caution to the wind and quit her boring job to travel the world.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English fling, from the verb (see below). Compare Icelandic flengur (“a fast sprint”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"When I was as young as you, I had my fling. I led a life of pleasure."
— 1838, Douglas William Jerrold, Men of Character:
""I am inclined to go and have a fling with them. Why not all of us — just for a minute or two — it will not detain us long?""
— 1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented […], volume I, London: James R[ipley] Osgood, McIlvaine and Co., […], →OCLC, phase the first (The Maiden), page 23:
"Here again steam is having its last fling, and the "dual link" drivers at Brunswick shed, Liverpool, already are alternating steam and diesel duties."
— 1960 February, Cecil J. Allen, “Locomotive Running Past and Present”, in Trains Illustrated, page 113:
"Because I've noticed one thing / This ain't no summer fling"
— 1976, “Oh Lori”, in Alessi, performed by Alessi Brothers:
"I, who love to have a fling, / Both at senate house and king."
— c. 1732, Jonathan Swift, Epistle to a Lady:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Angry, he decided to ____ his keys across the room, hitting the wall with a loud thud.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She decided to ____ caution to the wind and quit her boring job to travel the world.