flying fox: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist (Zoology/Biology) / Regional (Australian/NZ for playground equipment)
Quick answer
What does “flying fox” mean?
A large fruit-eating bat belonging to the genus Pteropus, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large fruit-eating bat belonging to the genus Pteropus, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia.
The term can also refer to a piece of equipment, often used in children's adventure playgrounds, consisting of a pulley suspended from a cable that users ride along.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term is almost exclusively zoological. In American English, the zoological term is known but less common; the playground equipment is called a 'zip line' or 'zipline'.
Connotations
For UK speakers, it conjures an exotic animal. For Australian/NZ speakers, it strongly evokes childhood recreation. For US speakers, the animal is a specialist term, and the playground sense is unfamiliar.
Frequency
Low frequency in general AmE and BrE. High frequency in Australian English due to the common playground item.
Grammar
How to Use “flying fox” in a Sentence
The [adjective] flying fox [verb]...A flying fox [verb]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flying fox” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This term is not used as a verb in standard English.
American English
- This term is not used as a verb in standard English.
adverb
British English
- This term is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This term is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The flying-fox colony was protected.
- He built a flying-fox rig in his garden.
American English
- The flying fox population is declining.
- A flying fox cable was strung between the trees.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in zoology, biology, and ecology papers discussing chiropterans, frugivores, or disease vectors.
Everyday
In Australia/NZ: "The kids spent all afternoon on the flying fox." Elsewhere: "We saw flying foxes hanging in the trees at the botanical garden."
Technical
Used in wildlife management, conservation biology, and veterinary science concerning the Pteropodidae family.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flying fox”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flying fox”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flying fox”
- Using 'flying fox' to mean any bat (it's only megabats).
- In international contexts, assuming listeners will understand the playground sense.
- Misspelling as 'flying-fox' or 'flyingfox'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a bat, specifically a large fruit bat. The name comes from its fox-like facial structure.
No, the animal 'flying fox' (Pteropus) is not native to the Americas. Related fruit bats exist, but they are not typically called 'flying foxes' in American English.
The name likely comes from the idea of 'flying' quickly down the cable, with 'fox' perhaps implying cunning or sleek speed, or by analogy with the bat's swift, direct flight.
They are not aggressive, but like all wild animals, they should not be handled. They can carry diseases like Australian Bat Lyssavirus, so only trained handlers should approach them.
A large fruit-eating bat belonging to the genus Pteropus, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Flying fox is usually specialist (zoology/biology) / regional (australian/nz for playground equipment) in register.
Flying fox: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈfɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈfɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FOX with wings FLYING through the jungle to eat fruit. Or, picture a FOX-shaped handle you FLY down a wire on.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANIMAL IS A MYTHICAL CREATURE (fox + flight). TOOL/ACTIVITY IS ANIMAL (naming a ride after the bat).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'flying fox' a common term for a playground zip-line?