Fling — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈfliŋ/

Meaning & Definition of Fling

Fling (verb)

  1. to move in a brusque or headlong manner
  2. to kick or plunge vigorously
  3. caper

Fling (noun)

  1. an act or instance of flinging
  2. a casual try or involvement
  3. a casual or brief love affair

Fling (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a time or instance of carefree fun

    "most families spend Labor Day weekend having one last summer fling"

    similar: binge, frisk, frolic, gambol, idyll, lark, ploy, revel, rollick, romp, spree
    related: caper, escapade, prank, bender, brannigan, bum, bust, carouse, souse, splore (Scottish), toot, antic, monkeyshine(s), shenanigan(s), field day, festivity, merriment, merrymaking, enjoyment, indulgence, pleasure, self-indulgence, amusement, diversion, entertainment, recreation

  2. an effort to do or accomplish something

    "take a fling at waterskiing and see how it goes"

    similar: assay (archaic), attempt, bash (chiefly British), bid, crack, endeavor, essay, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl
    related: striving, struggle, throes, undertaking, trial and error

  3. a brief romantic relationship

    "an ill-advised fling with a coworker"

    similar: affair, amour, love, love affair, romance
    related: intrigue, liaison, dalliance, hanky-panky, attachment, infatuation, entanglement, flirtation, idyll, passion, calf-love, puppy love

Fling (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm

    "flinging rocks into the pond just for the fun of it"

    similar: cast, catapult, chuck, dash, fire, heave, hurl, hurtle, launch, lob, loft, peg, pelt, pitch, sling, throw, toss, let fly
    related: bowl, dart, flip, gun, hook, pass, roll, shoot, buck, eject, impel, precipitate, project, propel, rifle, thrust

Related Entry: Fling (off or away) (verb)

Fling (off or away) is a different word from Fling. The synonyms below are for fling (off or away), not for fling.

  1. to get rid of as useless or unwanted

    "he flung away the used matchstick"

    "flinging off dirty clothes"

    similar: cashier, cast (off), chuck, deep-six, discard, ditch, dump, eighty-six, exorcise, jettison, junk, lay by, lose, pitch, reject, scrap, shed, shuck (off), slough (off), throw away, throw out, toss, unload, dispose of, set aside
    related: abandon, abdicate, desert, forsake, dismiss, kick out, abolish, annihilate, eliminate, eradicate, expunge, exterminate, extinguish, extirpate, liquidate, remove, root (out), stamp (out), wipe out
    near: adopt, embrace, take on, employ, use, utilize, hold, hold back, keep, retain

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fling

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fling:

Archaic: assay
Chiefly British: bash
binge, frisk, frolic, gambol, idyll, lark, ploy, revel, rollick, romp, spree, attempt, bid, crack, endeavor, essay, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl, affair, amour, love, love affair, romance, cast, catapult, chuck, dash, fire, heave, hurl, hurtle, launch, lob

Related Words for Fling

caper, escapade, prank, bender, brannigan, bum, bust, carouse, souse, splore, toot, antic, monkeyshine(s), shenanigan(s), field day, festivity, merriment, merrymaking, enjoyment, indulgence, pleasure, self-indulgence, amusement, diversion, entertainment, recreation, striving, struggle, throes, undertaking

Word Forms of Fling

Inflections: flung, flinging

Derived words: flinger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Fling

Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flengja to whip

First known use: 14th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Fling

fling oneself into, Highland fling, give (something) a fling, have a fling at (something), throw/fling/cast caution to the wind

Frequently Asked Questions about Fling

What does "Fling" mean?

"Fling" means to move in a brusque or headlong manner. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to move in a brusque or headlong manner. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Fling"?

Other words for "Fling" include binge, frisk, frolic, gambol, idyll, lark, ploy and revel. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fling" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fling"?

There are 107 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fling". Common alternatives include binge, frisk, frolic, gambol, idyll, lark, ploy, revel, rollick and romp.

How do you use "Fling" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fling" in a sentence: "most families spend Labor Day weekend having one last summer fling"; "take a fling at waterskiing and see how it goes"; "an ill-advised fling with a coworker".

Is "Fling" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Fling" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Fling"?

"Fling" is pronounced /ˈfliŋ/.

What is the origin of the word "Fling"?

"Fling" comes from Middle English, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flengja to whip. First known use: 14th centuryi.

What is another word for "Fling" meaning "a time or instance of carefree fun"?

When "Fling" (noun) means a time or instance of carefree fun, synonyms include binge, frisk, frolic, gambol, idyll and lark.