Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

on the fly

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.75 in modern English

Syllables: on the fly
IPA

17

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

1

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

While in the air, without having touched the ground.

adv

Spontaneously or extemporaneously; done as one goes, or during another activity.

adv

Slang

Example Sentences

"Jones caught the ball on the fly."
"The software program has a table of values for some results, but calculates others on the fly."
"The only process that yields problem-solving on the fly is experiential."
"The Owl is flying high, frightening to the eye. The Rattler is nearby, Cool is on the fly. Danger is his business."

Usage

Slang

Inflected Forms

on-the-fly (alternative)

Derived Forms

OTFE

Phrases

on-the-fly encryption fly by the seat of one's pants

Frequently Paired Words

fly by the seat of one's pants

Synonyms

in flight on the wing on the spot on the hoof hurridly

Questions

What does on the fly mean?: While in the air, without having touched the ground.

How to pronounce on the fly

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “on the fly”.
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