flit

UK: /ˈflɪt/ US: /flɪt/ ,(flit)

Inflections of 'flit' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

flits

v 3rd person singular

flitting

v pres p

flitted

v past

flitted

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

flit /flɪt/   v. [no object] , flit•ted, flit•ting. 

1. to fly, move, or pass swiftly and lightly from one place or condition to another:
   A smile flitted across his face.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

flit  (flit), v., flit•ted, flit•ting, n. 
v.i. 

1. to move lightly and swiftly;
   fly, dart, or skim along:
   bees flitting from flower to flower.
2. to flutter, as a bird.
3. to pass quickly, as time:
   hours flitting by.
4. Scottish Terms [Chiefly Scot. and North Eng.]
   • to depart or die.
   • to change one's residence.

v.t. 

5. Scottish Terms [Chiefly Scot.] to remove;
   transfer;
   oust or dispossess.

n. 

6. a light, swift movement;
   flutter.
7. Scottish Terms a change of residence;
   instance of moving to a new address.
8. Slang Terms (disparaging and offensive). a male homosexual.

• Old Norse flytja to carry, convey, Swedish flytta. See fleet²
• Middle English flitten 1150–1200

flit′ting•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. See fly ¹.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

flit / flɪt/ verb (flits, flitting, flitted)(intransitive)

1. to move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
2. to fly rapidly and lightly; flutter
3. to pass quickly; fleet: a memory flitted into his mind
4. to move house
5. to depart hurriedly and stealthily in order to avoid obligations
6. an informal word for elope

noun

1. a hurried and stealthy departure in order to avoid obligations (esp in the phrase do a flit)
2. See moonlight flit

Etymology: 12th Century: from Old Norse flytja to carry

ˈflitter noun