Standard Lemma guide

flew

adj · noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /fluː/
  • /fluʊ̯/
  • dated: /fljuː/
  • rhymes with -uː
  • homophone: flu
  • homophone: flue
  • CMU ARPABET: F L UW1 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

shallow; flat

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, dialectal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The thick, dangling upper lip of certain breeds of dog, or the canine equivalent of the upper lip.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural

Examples

  • The raging hound's flews were twisted upwards in an angry snarl.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

simple past of fly

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, past

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

simple past of flay

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, obsolete, past

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Unknown.

From Middle English flew, flow, from Old English flēag, flug-, from Proto-Germanic *flaug, *flug-, past tense forms of Proto-Germanic *fleuganą (“to fly”). Compare Saterland Frisian flooch (“flew”), West Frisian fleach (“flew”), Dutch vloog (“flew”), German flog (“flew”), Danish fløj (“flew”), Swedish flög (“flew”), Icelandic flaug (“flew”).