flying saucer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (Low frequency, cultural/specific context)Informal, journalistic, science fiction
Quick answer
What does “flying saucer” mean?
A disc-shaped unidentified flying object (UFO), often associated with extraterrestrial spacecraft in popular culture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A disc-shaped unidentified flying object (UFO), often associated with extraterrestrial spacecraft in popular culture.
A term used metaphorically to describe any mysterious, fast-moving object in the sky, or to denote something futuristic and unfamiliar.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. The cultural phenomenon originated in the US, but the term was adopted fully into UK English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it evokes 1950s-70s pop culture. In the US, it may have stronger links to Cold War paranoia; in the UK, perhaps more to quirky sci-fi television.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the prominence of US UFO reports and media, but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “flying saucer” in a Sentence
[Subject] saw a flying saucer [optional: over the city].The object was described as a flying saucer.He claimed it was a flying saucer.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flying saucer” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The couple reported a flying saucer hovering silently above the Chilterns.
- The old film featured a very wobbly model flying saucer on a string.
American English
- He swore he saw a flying saucer near Area 51.
- The 1950s comic book cover showed a flying saucer attacking a city.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in marketing for retro or sci-fi themes.
Academic
Rare in serious science; used historically in sociology/cultural studies discussing UFO belief systems.
Everyday
Used humorously or to describe a vague, strange sighting. 'We saw some weird lights, looked like a flying saucer!'
Technical
Avoided in favour of precise terms like 'unidentified aerial phenomenon' or specific radar/visual contact descriptors.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flying saucer”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flying saucer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flying saucer”
- Using 'flying saucer' in a formal scientific report.
- Misspelling as 'flying source' or 'flying saucer'.
- Confusing it with specific UFO shapes like 'cigar-shaped'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost. 'Flying saucer' specifically describes a disc-shaped UFO. 'UFO' is the broader, more formal term for any unidentified flying object, regardless of shape.
It's not recommended for scientific papers. Use 'UFO' or 'UAP'. 'Flying saucer' is acceptable in papers about cultural studies, media, or history of the phenomenon.
It's strongly associated with early UFO reports (1940s-70s). Modern sightings describe diverse shapes (triangles, spheres), and official terminology has moved to 'UAP' to avoid the pop-culture stigma of 'saucers' and 'aliens'.
The main difference is in the vowel of 'saucer'. In British English, it's /ˈsɔː.sər/ (like 'saw'), while in American English, it's /ˈsɑː.sɚ/ (like the 'a' in 'father').
A disc-shaped unidentified flying object (UFO), often associated with extraterrestrial spacecraft in popular culture.
Flying saucer is usually informal, journalistic, science fiction in register.
Flying saucer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈsɔː.sər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflaɪ.ɪŋ ˈsɑː.sɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a flying saucer. (i.e., It's not that strange/alien.)”
- “He came out of a flying saucer. (i.e., He is very strange/out of touch.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'saucer' you drink tea from, but it's 'flying'. The classic image is a silver disc, like an upturned teacup zooming through the air.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE UNKNOWN IS AN ALIEN ARTEFACT; MYSTERY IS EXTRATERRESTRIAL.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is considered more neutral and modern than 'flying saucer' in official contexts?