What is flight? Pronunciation and usage in English

flight means . Learn how to pronounce and use flight through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of flight

flightnoun

/flʌɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of flight

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "flight" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and they're both pretty close!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈflaɪt (rhymes with "light" or "kite")
    • ˈ - This is a primary stress mark, meaning the first syllable is emphasized.
    • fl - Pronounced like the "fl" in "flower"
    • ai - This is a diphthong (a gliding sound) that's similar to the "i" in "high" but with a slightly more open sound. It's like saying "eye" and then quickly adding an "a" sound.
    • t - Pronounced like the "t" in "top"

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • flaɪt (very similar to the American pronunciation, but sometimes slightly shorter)
    • Often the 'ai' diphthong is less pronounced, so it can sound a bit closer to "flight."

Here's a breakdown to help you:

Key Tip for the "ai" sound: Think of saying "eye" and then adding a quick "a" sound. Don’t overemphasize it - it’s a subtle shift.

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  • Where are you located (generally)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This can help me give you the most relevant pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word flight in English

Let's break down how to use the word "flight" in English. It’s a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun – Relating to Air Travel

  • Airplane Journey: This is the most common meaning.
    • "I’m taking a flight to New York next week."
    • "The flight was delayed due to bad weather."
    • "She booked a flight with British Airways."
    • “He checked in for his flight online.”
  • The Aircraft Itself:
    • "The flight was equipped with the latest navigation system."
  • A Specific Trip:
    • "They went on a romantic flight over the Grand Canyon."
    • "Our flight cost us $500."
  • (Less Common) A Series of Flights: "A connecting flight" - a flight that requires changing planes.

2. As a Noun – A Movement or Course (More General)

  • A Quick Movement: This refers to something moving quickly or suddenly.
    • "There was a sudden flight of birds across the sky." (A group of birds flying away)
    • "The painting had a bold flight of brushstrokes.” (Quick, energetic brushstrokes).
  • A Surge of Emotion:
    • "A wave of flight of anger went through him." (An immediate surge of anger)
  • A Spurt or Burst:
    • "The runner had a powerful flight of speed.” (A burst of speed)

3. As a Verb – To Escape Quickly

  • To Fly Away (as in escape): This is a crucial meaning!
    • "The prisoners flew the prison during the night." (Escaped)
    • "The bird flew from the cage.”
    • "Don't flight from your problems – face them." (Don't run away from them)

4. Related Phrases & Idioms

  • Flight of fancy: (noun) – An unrealistic or imaginative idea; a daydream. "He had a flight of fancy about becoming a pirate.”
  • Under flight instruction: (phrase) – Receiving training to fly a plane. “He was under flight instruction at the airport.”
  • Flight attendant/Cabin crew: (noun) – A member of the staff who assists passengers on an airplane.

Tips for Using “Flight” Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "flight" depends heavily on the surrounding words.
  • Distinguish from “fly”: "Fly" is the verb (to move through the air). "Flight" is the noun (the act of flying or a journey).

Resources for More Information:

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Synonyms for the word flight

Idioms of the word flight

in the first/top flight
among the best of a particular group
  • This is the team’s first season back in the top flight for more than 60 years.
put somebody to flight
(old-fashioned)to force somebody to run away
  • The enemy was quickly put to flight.
take flight
to run away
  • The gang took flight when they heard the police car.
  • As soon as they detected the cheetah it took flight.

Practice with vocabulary flight

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Due to unexpected technical issues, our evening ______ to London was delayed by three hours.
  2. The synchronized ______ of the starlings at dusk was a breathtaking natural spectacle.
  3. Our week-long ______ through the Amazon rainforest was an unforgettable adventure.
  4. The successful ______ of the new space probe into orbit marked a significant scientific achievement.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Passengers are advised to confirm their international ______ status 24 hours prior to departure. A) trip B) journey C) flight D) voyage
  2. The sudden ______ of the suspect from the country raised immediate red flags for investigators. A) departure B) escape C) flight D) relocation
  3. The architect's design featured a grand ______ of stairs leading to the main hall. A) set B) level C) flight D) tier
  4. Enduring the treacherous mountain ______ required exceptional endurance and skill. A) trek B) excursion C) commute D) sprint
  5. To optimize the presentation, the team decided to ______ the key data points into a single, concise slide. A) compile B) condense C) elaborate D) expand

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company's international travel policy requires all employees to book their air journeys at least two months in advance. Rewrite the sentence, using "flight" or a related word form.
  2. The animal made a rapid and desperate dash from its captors into the wilderness. Rewrite the sentence, using "flight" or a related word form.
  3. Our long-distance trip across the continent was meticulously planned to avoid any unforeseen delays. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use the word "flight" or its related forms.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. flight
  2. flight
  3. journey (or expedition/travel)
  4. launch (or liftoff/ascent)

Exercise 2:

  1. C) flight
  2. B) escape, C) flight (Both are suitable; "flight" emphasizes a hurried, often desperate, departure from a difficult situation.)
  3. C) flight
  4. A) trek
  5. B) condense

Exercise 3:

  1. The company's international travel policy requires all employees to book their flights at least two months in advance.
  2. The animal took flight from its captors, disappearing rapidly into the wilderness.
  3. Our long-distance journey across the continent was meticulously planned to avoid any unforeseen delays. (Other suitable words include: trip, travel, expedition)

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