flyby: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, Formal, Informal (when extended to a visit)
Quick answer
What does “flyby” mean?
A flight past a point, especially a celestial body, at close range for observation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flight past a point, especially a celestial body, at close range for observation.
1. A ceremonial or promotional low-altitude flight of aircraft. 2. A brief, casual, or passing encounter or visit. 3. (Computing) A method of data transfer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is consistent. The metaphorical 'brief visit' is slightly more common in American informal use.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in core sense. Informal and often humorous when used for a quick visit.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in aerospace contexts (e.g., NASA) and in the informal metaphorical sense.
Grammar
How to Use “flyby” in a Sentence
[Subject] performed a flyby of [Object]The [Aircraft/Spacecraft] made a flyby.We had a quick flyby at the office.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flyby” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verb form; the action is 'to fly by'.
American English
- No standard verb form; the action is 'to fly by'.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- The flyby manoeuvre was executed flawlessly.
- We collected flyby data from the asteroid.
American English
- The flyby maneuver was flawless.
- The flyby photography session was a success.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"I'll just do a flyby of the new branch on my way to the airport." (Informal: brief check/visit).
Academic
"The probe's flyby of Jupiter provided crucial gravitational data." (Astronomy/Physics).
Everyday
"Can't stay for coffee, just a flyby to drop off the package!" (Informal).
Technical
"The mission profile includes a lunar flyby for a gravity assist." (Aerospace).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flyby”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I'll flyby your house' is incorrect; use 'fly by' as two words for the verb).
- Confusing with 'flyover' (which often implies a ceremonial flight over a specific ground location).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun meaning a close pass, it is one word: 'flyby'. The verb phrase is two words: 'to fly by'.
Yes, but it is informal and metaphorical. It humorously compares your brief visit to an aircraft's fast pass. e.g., 'Just a flyby to say hello!'
A 'flyby' often implies a pass for observation or a gravity assist (in space) or a brief visit. A 'flyover' specifically refers to a ceremonial flight of aircraft over a ground event, like a sports game or memorial.
Yes, in a technical sense. 'Flyby' can refer to a method of data transfer where data is read or written as it passes by a read/write head without stopping, or in 3D graphics for a simulated flight through a scene.
A flight past a point, especially a celestial body, at close range for observation.
Flyby is usually technical, formal, informal (when extended to a visit) in register.
Flyby: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflaɪ.baɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflaɪ.baɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Just a flyby visit (a very brief visit).”
- “Do a flyby (to check in briefly).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BYE that you say while FLYing past someone - a FLYBY is a quick pass, not a stop.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / A brief visit is a flight past a location.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'flyby' LEAST likely to be used?