flyaway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to slightly informal for the hair/fabric sense; specialised/archaic for the vehicle sense.
Quick answer
What does “flyaway” mean?
(adj.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(adj.) 1. Designed to fly or capable of flight. 2. Of hair, fabric, etc.: tending to lift or float freely, hard to keep in place; untidy, wispy. (n.) A type of horse-drawn or motorised vehicle, lightweight carriage, or open cart.
Metaphorically: flighty, frivolous, or restless in character; elusive or difficult to control.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The vehicle/cart sense may be more common in British historical texts.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British hair-care product marketing ('anti-flyaway').
Frequency
Both varieties use it primarily for hair. It is a low-frequency word in general.
Grammar
How to Use “flyaway” in a Sentence
Adjective + noun (flyaway X)Verb + adjective + noun (has flyaway hair)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flyaway” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She struggled with her flyaway hair in the humid weather.
- The victorian fair featured a colourful flyaway carriage.
American English
- This conditioner really helps with flyaway hair on dry winter days.
- He sketched an old-fashioned flyaway cart from the pioneer era.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in textile or cosmetics industry (e.g., 'flyaway fabric', 'anti-flyaway serum').
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical studies of transport or textile science.
Everyday
Mostly used to describe untidy, static-lifted hair, especially on windy or dry days.
Technical
In skating: a 'flyaway' dismount from a lift. In aviation/space: theoretical 'flyaway cost' of an aircraft.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flyaway”
- Using it as a verb phrase ('My hair flyaway' – incorrect). Correct: 'My hair is flyaway' or 'I have flyaway hair'.
- Confusing it with 'flyswatter' or 'flyover'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in modern English 'flyaway' is primarily an adjective. The verb phrase is 'to fly away' (two words).
Yes, metaphorically. A 'flyaway' person can be described as flighty, frivolous, or not serious.
In engineering/aviation, it's the basic production cost of an aircraft or vehicle, excluding development, training, and support costs.
Flyaway hair specifically lifts up and away from the head, often due to static. Frizzy hair is tightly curled and puffy all over, often due to humidity.
(adj.
Flyaway is usually neutral to slightly informal for the hair/fabric sense; specialised/archaic for the vehicle sense. in register.
Flyaway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflaɪəweɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflaɪəweɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Related: 'fly-by-night' (unreliable) shares the 'flight' metaphor.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a strand of hair that wants to FLY AWAY from your head.
Conceptual Metaphor
LACK OF CONTROL IS UNWANTED FLIGHT (hair flying away = not under control).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern usage of 'flyaway'?