flit

verb

ˈflit 

flitted; flitting

intransitive verb

1

: to pass quickly or abruptly from one place or condition to another

2

archaic : alter, shift

3

: to move in an erratic fluttering manner

flit noun

Synonyms

• dance
• dart
• flick
• flicker
• flirt
• flitter
• flutter
• zip

Examples of flit in a Sentence

butterflies flitting around the garden

The hummingbird flitted from flower to flower.

She was always flitting around the kitchen.

Recent Examples on the Web

But what lingers just as persistently is a certain slipperiness of intent—a sense that Lynch himself, so aware of the complex, symbiotic play of light and darkness in human nature, was content to flit eternally, and with a mosquito’s fickle curiosity, between two moral poles. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2025

Sherlock’s Watson is one of the least stagey in the canon of Holmes adaptations, playing on Freeman’s ability to flit between dramatic and comic material with a natural, quick poise. —Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025

Drinking it all in, Mohammed was surrounded by well-wishers, including his co-participants on the program, who flitted up to say congratulations. —Freya Drohan, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2025

For the previous three weeks, he’s been flitting to and fro in preparation for this year’s edition. —John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flitten, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flytjask to move, Old English flēotan to float

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flit

• do a moonlight flit

Kids Definition

flit

verb

ˈflit 

flitted; flitting

: to move or progress in a quick irregular manner

flit noun