If you have ever been curious about the correct english grammar past tense of fly was, this article will clear that up plus give you a look into the history of the english verb, the definition, and everything else you could want to learn about the word.

What is the Definition of the Irregular Verb Fly?

The word fly is defined as:

Intransitive verb form:

to move in or pass through the air with wings

bees flying around the hive

to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space

bullets flying in all directions

to float, wave, or soar in the air

flags flying at half-mast

to take flight: flee

was forced to fly for his life when his enemies came into power

to fade and disappear: vanish

mists flying before the morning sun

to move, pass, or spread quickly

rumors were flying

to be moved with sudden extreme emotion

flew into a rage

to seem to pass quickly

the time simply flew

to become expended or dissipated rapidly

After he became established in the town, his inheritance flew.

to operate or travel in an airplane or spacecraft

They flew to Florida for their vacation.

to work successfully: win popular acceptance

knew … a pure human-rights approach would not fly — Charles Brydon

Transitive regular verb “fly”:

to cause to fly, float, or hang in the air

flying a kite

to operate (something, such as a balloon, aircraft, rocket, or spacecraft) in flight

to journey over or through by flying

flew the Atlantic

to flee or escape from

The bird had flown its cage.

Avoid, shun

fly such a talkative woman

to transport by aircraft or spacecraft

He was the third person to fly supplies to the disaster area.

fly at

to assail suddenly and violently

He flew at me in a rage because he couldn’t learn english, that’s how I knew it was only conditional friendship.

fly blind

to fly a plane solely by instruments

fly high

to be elated

He/she was flying high after winning the contest and seeing infinitive possibilities.

fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of

to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

His explanation flies in the face of the evidence.

Synonyms for Fly

Aviate – to navigate the air (as in an airplane)

Glide – to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly, to go or pass imperceptibly

Plane – to fly while keeping the wings motionless, skim across the surface of the water, to travel by airplane

Soar – to fly aloft or about, to rise or increase dramatically (as in position, value, or price)

Wing – one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly

Examples of the Word in context

More recently, Stefanik has campaigned for the president, flying to at least one rally in Tulsa during the coronavirus pandemic to appear by his side. – STEFANIK HAILS TRUMP ON NATIONAL STAGE WHILE PITCHING N.Y. VOTERS ON HER BIPARTISANSHIP|RACHAEL BADE|AUGUST 26, 2020|WASHINGTON POST

To be sure, while value has historically outperformed growth, the run of high-flying and expensive tech stocks have been what’s pushed the market higher in recent months and years. – 12 VALUE STOCKS TO BUY RIGHT NOW—AND 3 TO AVOID—ACCORDING TO BANK OF AMERICA|ANNE SRADERS|AUGUST 25, 2020|FORTUNE

American expects to be flying at less than 50% of its capacity by the fourth quarter of 2020, it said Tuesday, with long-haul international travel at only a quarter of last year’s levels. – AMERICAN AIRLINES ANNOUNCES PLAN TO CUT 19,000 JOBS—UNLESS CONGRESS EXTENDS PANDEMIC AID|MARIA ASPAN|AUGUST 25, 2020|FORTUNE

In late 2017, cryptocurrency prices went crazy as Bitcoin brushed $20,000 and the value of other digital tokens—many of them fly-by-night projects—soared inexplicably. – CRYPTO SOARS AGAIN AS TRADERS EMBRACE ‘DEFI’ AND ‘YIELD FARMING’—BUT SOME SEE ECHOES OF THE 2017 BUBBLE|JEFF|AUGUST 25, 2020|FORTUNE

The man tested positive for the virus again earlier this month after flying back to Hong Kong from Spain. – WHAT THE FIRST CONFIRMED COVID-19 REINFECTION TELLS US ABOUT A FUTURE VACCINE|NAOMI XU ELEGANT|AUGUST 25, 2020|FORTUNE

Andrew still plans to fly to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum on January 21, representing the British government. – FROM PLAYBOY PRINCE TO DIRTY OLD MAN?|TOM SYKES|JANUARY 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST

After some animated debate at the conference, Lelaie declared, with some frustration, “If you push on the stick, you will fly.” – FLIGHT 8501 POSES QUESTION: ARE MODERN JETS TOO AUTOMATED TO FLY?|CLIVE IRVING|JANUARY 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Thus it attracted a wave of cowboy operators to fly passengers and cargo between cities. – WHO WILL GET ASIAAIR 8501’S BLACK BOXES?|CLIVE IRVING|DECEMBER 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Many of these are small operations that would never, in any case, fly beyond Indonesia – WHO WILL GET ASIAAIR 8501’S BLACK BOXES?|CLIVE IRVING|DECEMBER 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Air traffic controllers and pilots together take great care not to fly in conditions that can jeopardize an airplane. – DID BAD WEATHER BRING DOWN AIRASIA 8501?|CLIVE IRVING|DECEMBER 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It was in one of his fits of rage and remorse that Charley had asked Cherrie to fly with him. – A CHANGED HEART|MAY AGNES FLEMING

He will fly back southeast along the lakeshore to the meeting place. – ASTOUNDING STORIES OF SUPER-SCIENCE JANUARY 1930|VICTOR ROUSSEAU

Sam was already on the run, and, coming to the turn in the road, he let fly several snowballs. – THE ROVER BOYS ON A TOUR|ARTHUR M. WINFIELD

They were to fly the American flag; that, too, should mean a subsidy. – THE PRESIDENT|ALFRED HENRY LEWIS

In captivity, having no web, it actually flees before its prey, and has not the resolution to confront a fly.- THE INSECT|JULES MICHELET

Base Form: Fly
Simple Present Tense/ Present Participle	Simple Past Tense	Future
I fly	Flew	Am flying
You fly	Flew	Are flying
He, she, it flys	Flew	Is flying
We fly	Flew	Are flying
They fly	Flew	Are flying

The Past Tense of Fly: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Your writing, at its best

What is the Definition of the Irregular Verb Fly?

How Do You Conjugate fly?

The History and Origin of the Word

Is Flown a Word?

Synonyms for Fly

Examples of the Word in context

Summary

Sources:

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