flying machine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C1-C2)Historical, Technical, Humorous/Descriptive
Quick answer
What does “flying machine” mean?
An early, often experimental or rudimentary, aircraft.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An early, often experimental or rudimentary, aircraft; a machine designed to achieve flight.
A term for any contraption, vehicle, or apparatus built for the purpose of flying, especially those from the pioneering era of aviation or those that appear fantastical, impractical, or home-made.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The term is more common in historical narratives.
Connotations
Both varieties carry a connotation of antiquity, experimentation, or quaintness.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK historical texts, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “flying machine” in a Sentence
[Subject] built/tested/crashed a flying machine.The [adjective] flying machine [verb].It was little more than a [adjective] flying machine.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in historical or engineering contexts discussing early aviation.
Everyday
Used humorously or descriptively for odd-looking planes or amateur projects.
Technical
Used precisely for pre-1914 aircraft or in conceptual design discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flying machine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flying machine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flying machine”
- Using it to refer to modern airplanes (sounds archaic).
- Confusing it with 'flying car' (which is a specific futuristic concept).
- Capitalising it unless it's a proper name (e.g., 'The Flying Machine').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency, specialised term. It's used mainly in historical contexts or for humorous/descriptive effect.
It would sound deliberately archaic or humorous. For example, 'We boarded the silver flying machine' is stylised, not standard.
'Aircraft' is the standard, neutral term for any vehicle capable of flight. 'Flying machine' emphasises the mechanical, often primitive or conceptual, aspect of the vehicle.
They used terms like 'Flyer' or 'machine', and contemporary reports often called it a 'flying machine'. The term was perfectly standard at the time.
An early, often experimental or rudimentary, aircraft.
Flying machine is usually historical, technical, humorous/descriptive in register.
Flying machine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ məˈʃiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ məˈʃiːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a typical idiom source]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a Rube Goldberg-style machine with wings and a propeller, clumsily taking to the air—a literal 'machine for flying'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN INGENUITY/ASPIRATION AS A FRAGILE CONTRAPTION (The flying machine represents the daring but precarious early attempts to conquer the skies).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'flying machine' LEAST likely to be used?