fling vs spree what difference
what is difference between fling and spree
English
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈflɪŋ/
- Rhymes: -ɪŋ
Etymology 1
From Middle English fling, from the verb (see below). Compare Icelandic flengur (“a fast sprint”).
Noun
fling (plural flings)
- An act of throwing, often violently.
- An act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements, especially in a dance.
- An act or period of unrestrained indulgence.
- 1838, Douglas William Jerrold, Men of Character
- When I was as young as you, I had my fling. I led a life of pleasure.
- 1838, Douglas William Jerrold, Men of Character
- A short casual sexual relationship.
- Synonyms: affairette, dalliance, hookup, liaison
- (figuratively) An attempt, a try (as in “give it a fling”).
- (obsolete) A severe or contemptuous remark; an expression of sarcastic scorn; a gibe or taunt.
- c. 1732, Jonathan Swift, Epistle to a Lady
- I, who love to have a fling, / Both at senate house and king.
- c. 1732, Jonathan Swift, Epistle to a Lady
- A lively Scottish country dance.
- (obsolete) A trifling matter; an object of contempt.
- ante 1800, old proverb
- England were but a fling / Save for the crooked stick and the grey goose wing.
- ante 1800, old proverb
Translations
Etymology 2
From Middle English flingen, flengen, from Old Norse flengja (“to whip”), from Proto-Germanic *flangijaną (“to beat, whip”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂k- (“to beat”). Cognate with Icelandic flengja (“to spank”), Norwegian flengja (“to rip, tear, or fling open”).
Verb
fling (third-person singular simple present flings, present participle flinging, simple past flung or (colloquial or dialectal, nonstandard) flang or (nonstandard) flinged, past participle flung or (nonstandard) flinged)
- (intransitive, now archaic) To move (oneself) abruptly or violently; to rush or dash.
- 1748, Samuel Richardson, Clarissa, Letter 113:
- I see, sir, said I, I see what a man I am with. […] And away I flung, leaving him seemingly vexed, and in confusion.
- 1748, Samuel Richardson, Clarissa, Letter 113:
- (transitive) To throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl.
- I know thy generous temper well. / Fling but the appearance of dishonour on it, / It straight takes fire.
- (intransitive, archaic) To throw; to wince; to flounce.
- 1836, Helen Crocket, The Ettrick Shepherd’s Last Tale
- The horse flung most potently, making his heels fly aloft in the air.
- 1836, Helen Crocket, The Ettrick Shepherd’s Last Tale
- (intransitive, archaic) To utter abusive language; to sneer.
Translations
English
Etymology
Unknown. Some theories listed at Douglas Harper (2001–2021), “spree”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /spɹiː/
- Rhymes: -iː
Noun
spree (plural sprees)
- (in combination) Uninhibited activity.
- 1959, David P. Morgan, editor, Steam’s Finest Hour, Kalmbach Publishing Co., page 27:
- 1959, David P. Morgan, editor, Steam’s Finest Hour, Kalmbach Publishing Co., page 27:
- (dated) A merry frolic; especially, a drinking frolic.
- Synonym: carousal
Usage notes
Often preceded by the name of a certain activity to indicate a period of doing that activity wholeheartedly and continuously, for example, shopping spree.
Derived terms
- killing spree
- shooting spree
- shopping spree
Translations
Verb
spree (third-person singular simple present sprees, present participle spreeing, simple past and past participle spreed)
- (intransitive, rare) To engage in a spree.
- Synonym: carouse
Further reading
- “spree”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.
- “spree”, in Merriam–Webster Online Dictionary.
Anagrams
- Esper, Peers, Perse, Prees, Reeps, esper, peers, per se, perse, pères, speer, spere