flung: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (common for the verb form but less frequent than base synonyms like 'threw').Informal to neutral. Common in narrative, descriptive, and spoken contexts. Less formal than 'propelled' or 'hurled.'
Quick answer
What does “flung” mean?
The past tense and past participle of 'fling,' meaning to throw or hurl something with force or sudden motion, often with a sense of recklessness, abandon, or strong emotion.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past tense and past participle of 'fling,' meaning to throw or hurl something with force or sudden motion, often with a sense of recklessness, abandon, or strong emotion.
Can metaphorically describe being propelled into a state or condition (e.g., 'flung into chaos'), or to move one's own body or limbs forcefully and suddenly. Implies a lack of careful aim or control compared to 'throw.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Slight preference in UK English for 'flung' in certain idiomatic expressions (e.g., 'flung oneself into').
Connotations
Shared connotations of force and lack of precision.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “flung” in a Sentence
Someone flings something (somewhere)Someone flings someone somethingSomeone flings something at someone/somethingSomeone flings themselves somewhereVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flung” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He flung the rubbish into the bin with disgust.
- She flung herself onto the bed, exhausted.
- The protestors were flung into the back of a lorry.
American English
- He flung the ball back to the pitcher.
- She flung her hair over her shoulder defiantly.
- The company was flung into a crisis after the scandal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'The market was flung into turmoil.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis or historical narrative: 'The reformer was flung into conflict with the establishment.'
Everyday
Common for physical actions: 'She flung her bag on the sofa.'
Technical
Not typical, except in physics descriptions of projectile motion in informal contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flung”
- Using 'flinged' (incorrect) instead of 'flung'. Confusing 'flung' (past) with 'fling' (present). Using it for gentle actions where 'tossed' or 'placed' is better.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the irregular past tense and past participle of the verb 'fling' (fling-flung-flung).
Not typically. It is primarily a verb form. Participle adjectives usually come from present participles (e.g., 'a throwing arm'). 'Flung' might appear in compound adjectives like 'newly-flung' but this is rare.
'Flung' often implies more force, violence, recklessness, or a wider, less controlled arc than 'threw.' 'Threw' is more neutral and common.
Use 'has/have/had flung.' Example: 'She has flung all her energy into the project.'
The past tense and past participle of 'fling,' meaning to throw or hurl something with force or sudden motion, often with a sense of recklessness, abandon, or strong emotion.
Flung is usually informal to neutral. common in narrative, descriptive, and spoken contexts. less formal than 'propelled' or 'hurled.' in register.
Flung: in British English it is pronounced /flʌŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /flʌŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “flung to the four winds”
- “flung oneself into one's work”
- “the door was flung open”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FLU-NG (sounding like 'flung') syringe being thrown away forcefully after use.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL FORCE IS PHYSICAL FORCE ('flung an insult'); SUDDEN CHANGE IS BEING THROWN ('flung into fame').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'flung' most appropriately?