Flier vs. Flyer

Both flier and flyer are nouns that can refer to a person or thing that flies or a small, printed piece of paper or handbill used for advertising, promoting events, or conveying information. However, flier is used more commonly as the former, while flyer is used primarily as the former. The usage depends on regional preference.

What is a flier?

Flier is a noun that usually refers to a person or thing that flies, often associated with aviation or air travel; this is most common in American English. It can also be used for promotional materials, but is used less as such. Here's how flier is used:

Aviation

In the context of aviation, a flier is a person who travels by air, such as a passenger on an airplane.

Promotional materials

Occasionally, flier can also refer to a small, printed piece of paper or handbill used for advertising or promoting an event. However, this usage is less common.

What is a Flyer?

Flyer is primarily used to refer to a small, printed piece of paper or handbill that is used for advertising, promoting events, or conveying information, but in British English, flyer is also used to refer to something that flies. Here's how flyer is used:

Advertising

Flyer is commonly used when discussing promotional materials, such as pamphlets, brochures, or leaflets.

Event promotion

It is often used in the context of announcing events, sales, or gatherings.

Aviation

On the lesser occasion, flyer is a person or thing that flies through the air.

Although both have similar meanings, it would be best to know their common usage. In American English, next time you want to talk about promotional materials, you'll choose flyer, and when discussing air travelers, you'll opt for flier. By doing so, you'll soar through the language skies with precision and clarity.

Example sentences

*These sentences are made with the primary usage of the words flyer and flier in American English in mind.

She designed an eye-catching flyer to advertise the upcoming concert.
The flier glided through the air in his airplane.
The political candidate distributed flyers throughout the neighborhood to gain support.
He's a dedicated flier, traveling to different countries for work.
The flyer highlighted the key features of the new smartphone.
The flyer promoted the high tech gear at the new store across the street.
The bird was a swift and agile flier, soaring high above the trees.
The pilot skillfully maneuvered the flier through turbulent weather.
The person distributed the flyers everyday at the bus station in hopes of garnering more customers.
The aircraft's design made it one of the fastest fliers in the world.

Practice questions

*These questions' answers are based on the primary usage of the words flyer and flier in American English.

She handed out colorful fliers/flyers to promote the charity run.
The local bird-watching club is looking for a skilled flier/flyer to join their team.
The airline's fliers/flyers had all the details about the in-flight services.
I saw a stunning flier/flyer gliding gracefully above the lake.
The school sent home a flier/flyer announcing the parent-teacher conference.
He collected a stack of fliers/flyers from the information booth at the fair.
The company used a flashy flier/flyer to advertise their new product.
We need to print more fliers/flyers for the upcoming seminar.
The airline pilot had dreams of becoming a flier/flyer since he was a child.
Please take a flier/flyer from the counter to learn about the museum's exhibits.

If you still are unsure about which to use, try out Engram where you can submit your English sentences to get immediate feedback and suggestions based on how native English speakers write.