flier

IPA/ˈflaɪə(r)/
KK[flˈaɪɚ]IPA/ˈflaɪər/

flier — noun

  • fliersingular
  • fliersplural

1. a spelling of the word 'flyer' that is more common in American English, used for

1.nounB1
Definition

a spelling of the word 'flyer' that is more common in American English, used for all of that word's meanings

Example

The news article used the spelling 'flier' for the pilot, which is common in US newspapers.

US spelling variant of flyer

Both 'flier' and 'flyer' appear in American dictionaries, though 'flyer' is more popular for advertisements.

Usage Note

In British English, 'flyer' is the standard spelling for all meanings. In American English, many style guides recommend 'flier' for a pilot or passenger and 'flyer' for a leaflet, but actual usage varies widely.

Common Mistakes

The store handed out fliers for the sale.' (when writing for a British audience)
The store handed out flyers for the sale.
'flyer' is the preferred spelling in British English.

2. someone who flies and controls a plane for a living or as an activity, typically

2.nounB1
Definition

someone who flies and controls a plane for a living or as an activity, typically a small or military aircraft

Example

Amihan, an experienced flier, has logged over 3,000 hours flying small planes across Southeast Asia.

experienced flier — collocation with experience adjective

The young flier earned her pilot's license at seventeen and now flies cargo planes.

Common collocations
  • experienced flier
  • military flier
  • skilled flier
Synonyms
  • pilot

    Standard, everyday term for any person who controls an aircraft; much more common than 'flier'

  • aviator

    More formal and slightly dated; often used for early or military pilots

Usage Note

This sense is less common in everyday speech than 'pilot', but appears frequently in aviation news and military contexts. The compound 'frequent flier' belongs to sense 3, not this one.

Common Mistakes

The flier announced the delay over the intercom.' (when meaning the person flying the plane)
The pilot announced the delay over the intercom.
'pilot' is the natural word for the person in charge of a commercial aircraft; 'flier' is rarer in that context.

3. someone on board an aircraft whose purpose is reaching a destination, not operat

3.nounB1
Definition

someone on board an aircraft whose purpose is reaching a destination, not operating the plane

Example

The airline rewards its frequent fliers with free upgrades and priority boarding.

frequent flier — very common collocation

Darius, a nervous flier, always books an aisle seat near the front of the plane.

nervous flier — adjective describing type of passenger

Common collocations
  • frequent flier
  • nervous flier
  • business flier
  • first-class flier
Synonyms
  • passenger

    Broader term that covers all forms of transport; more common in general use

  • traveler

    Even broader; includes any kind of journey, not just by air

Usage Note

This sense is extremely common in the fixed phrase 'frequent flier' (sometimes spelled 'frequent flyer'), which refers to a loyalty programme or a person who flies often. Outside that phrase, 'passenger' is more neutral.

Common Mistakes

I am a frequent flier on the train between Taipei and Kaohsiung.
I am a frequent traveller on the train between Taipei and Kaohsiung.
'flier' is only used for air travel, not trains or buses.

4. a single sheet of paper with information about a product, event, or service, usu

4.nounB1
Definition

a single sheet of paper with information about a product, event, or service, usually given to people in public places or left in mailboxes

Example

Tanvi stood outside the subway station handing out fliers for the community music festival.

hand out fliers — verb + noun collocation

A flier for the new sushi restaurant was tucked under every windshield wiper on the street.

flier for [event/place] — preposition pattern

Common collocations
  • hand out fliers
  • distribute fliers
  • design a flier
  • campaign flier
  • flier for [event/place]
Synonyms
  • leaflet

    Standard British English term; can be a single sheet or a multi-fold paper

  • handout

    Often refers to something distributed in a classroom or meeting setting

  • brochure

    A glossy, multi-page booklet for marketing, more polished than a flier

Usage Note

In American English, 'flier' and 'flyer' are used interchangeably for this sense. In British English, 'leaflet' is the standard word. Digital versions are sometimes called 'digital fliers' or 'e-flyers'.

Common Mistakes

Please take a flier about our health insurance options.' (when it's a multi-page booklet)
Please take a brochure about our health insurance options.
'brochure' is better for multi-page, glossy materials; 'flier' is for a single sheet.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/4

Flier, leaflet, handout, brochure, and pamphlet all describe printed sheets of paper, but they differ in format and purpose. A flier (or flyer) is typically a single sheet used to advertise a short-term event or local service — it is designed for quick reading and wide distribution. A leaflet is similar but can be multi-fold and is often more informational than promotional, common in British English usage. A handout is usually distributed in a classroom or meeting setting to support a presentation or lesson. A brochure is a polished, often colour-printed booklet with multiple pages, used for marketing holidays, hotels, or insurance products. A pamphlet is a small stapled booklet, most often used for political, religious, or educational messaging. For example: 'She handed out a flier for the weekend garage sale, then gave me a glossy brochure for the resort.'

leaflet ↗handout ↗brochure ↗pamphlet ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • take a flier (on something)
  • frequent flier

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

The word 'flier' comes from 'fly' (meaning to move through the air) combined with the suffix '-er', which turns a verb into a noun meaning 'a person who does that action'. It has been used since the 15th century. The variant spelling 'flyer' appeared around the same time, and the two spellings have competed ever since. In the 19th century, 'flier' also took on the meaning of a printed advertisement, possibly because such papers were 'flown' or quickly distributed.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1