fliers

IPA/ˈflaɪ.ər/
KK[flˈaɪɚz]IPA/ˈflaɪ.ɚ/

fliers — noun

  • flierssingular
  • fliersesplural

1. a person who operates an aircraft, or a person who travels in an aircraft. It is

1.nounB1
Definition

a person who operates an aircraft, or a person who travels in an aircraft. It is the American English spelling of the more common form 'flyer' — for example, a pilot is a flier, and someone who takes many flights is a frequent flier.

Example

Greta, a commercial flier with twelve years of experience, landed the plane in heavy rain.

commercial flier — professional pilot context

The airline awards bonus points to frequent fliers who take over twenty trips a year.

frequent flier — loyalty programme collocation

Common collocations
  • frequent flier
  • nervous flier
  • commercial flier
  • rescue flier
  • certified flier
Synonyms
  • pilot

    refers specifically to someone who controls the aircraft, while 'flier' can also cover passengers

  • aviator

    a more formal or old-fashioned term for a pilot, especially from earlier decades of flight

  • air passenger

    specifically someone who travels on a flight but does not operate the aircraft

Grammar Patterns

flier (singular) / fliers (plural)

Usage Note

The spelling 'flier' (singular) and 'fliers' (plural) is the standard American English variant; 'flyer' / 'flyers' is more common in British English and in general international usage. For the 'person who flies' sense, AP style recommends 'flier'.

Common Mistakes

He worked as a flyer for a cargo airline.
He worked as a flier for a cargo airline.
In American English, 'flier' with an 'i' is the standard spelling for a person who flies, though 'flyer' is also accepted.

2. a single printed sheet of paper, often folded, containing information or an adve

2.nounB1
Definition

a single printed sheet of paper, often folded, containing information or an advertisement. Businesses and organisations hand fliers out on the street, post them on notice boards, or leave them in public places to promote events, services, or products.

Example

A man in a red apron handed Sofia a flier for a Saturday farmers' market.

hand + flier to someone — distribution pattern

Karim pinned a yellow flier to the cork board to advertise his guitar lessons.

pin a flier to [surface] — posting pattern

Common collocations
  • hand out fliers
  • distribute fliers
  • post a flier
  • pick up a flier
  • advertising flier
  • concert flier
Synonyms
  • leaflet

    the most common British English term; often interchangeable with 'flier'

  • handbill

    a slightly old-fashioned term for a small printed sheet handed out on the street

  • circular

    a printed advertisement delivered to many homes or businesses, often by mail

  • pamphlet

    a small booklet with several pages, whereas a flier is usually a single sheet

Grammar Patterns

flier (singular) / fliers (plural)

Usage Note

For the 'leaflet' sense, both 'flier' and 'flyer' are widely used in American English. The plural 'fliers' / 'flyers' is very common. Fliers are typically A5 or A4 size, printed on one or both sides, and distributed free of charge.

Common Mistakes

I received a flier in the mail inside a sealed envelope.
I received a flier handed to me on the street.
Fliers are usually handed out in person or posted on notice boards, not mailed in envelopes.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Flier' (or 'flyer') is the most common everyday term in American English for a single-sheet printed advertisement handed out in person. 'Leaflet' is the dominant term in British English and often suggests a slightly more informative or official document. 'Handbill' is an older word that emphasises the method of distribution — by hand — but is less common today. 'Circular' refers to a printed advertisement delivered to many homes, often by post or left at the door, rather than handed out. 'Pamphlet' differs more clearly: it has multiple pages bound together, like a small booklet, whereas a flier is just one sheet. If you pick up a single page advertising a garage sale, call it a flier. If you get a multi-page guide to local services folded and stapled, that is a pamphlet.

leaflet ↗handbillcircular ↗pamphlet ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • frequent flier
  • flier mile
  • flier program

Phrases

  • hand someone a flier
  • post a flier on [board]
  • pass out fliers
  • distribute fliers

Prepositions

  • flier for [event/product]
  • flier about [topic]

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The word 'flier' comes from the verb 'fly' (from Old English 'flēogan', meaning to move through the air) plus the suffix '-er', which turns a verb into a noun meaning 'someone or something that does the action'. The variant spelling 'flyer' appeared in the 15th century and became more common over time, though 'flier' has remained the standard American spelling for the 'person who flies' meaning, especially in AP style. The 'advertising leaflet' sense dates from the late 19th century, when businesses began using small printed sheets that seemed to 'fly' from hand to hand.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1