When to Use Flier vs. Flyer to Talk About Pamphlets and Things that Fly

In this case, both word spellings are valid and are accepted by most publications and dictionaries.

01 Jul 2022

Both flyer and flyer are correct spellings of the same word, although you may see one used more frequently than the other depending on the context and meaning. Indeed, the word has two principal meanings, one spelled either way, while the other is primarily spelled with a “y.”

The English language has many words with alternate spellings, making it difficult to know when you’re using an accepted word variation or have simply made a typo. In this case, both word spellings are valid and are accepted by most publications and dictionaries.

What Is the Meaning of Flyer and Flier?

There are two main definitions of the word flier. It refers to people who fly, for example, passengers on an airplane, animals, or objects, albeit more unusual. It can be used for people who operate flying objects from the ground, such as kites. When using this definition, the more common spelling in American English is flier. British English favors flyer.

Generally speaking, pilots of large aircraft are not referred to as “fliers,” yet pilots of smaller planes, particularly hobbyists, can be called fliers.

Secondly, a “flyer” is a piece of paper distributed to publicize an event, service, or product, often used in advertising and marketing. Synonyms of flyer include handbill, pamphlet, circular, and leaflet. The favored spelling is “flyer” in both the US and the UK.

Fliers vs. Flyers

The words flyer and flier follow the usual grammatical rules when it comes to their plural form: we simply add an “s” to the end of the words, so they become “fliers” and “flyers.”