A flyer is a printed piece of paper designed to spread information quickly and widely. When a local theater group wants people to know about their upcoming show, they might create colorful flyers with the date, time, and ticket prices, then post them around town or hand them out at busy intersections. Schools send home flyers announcing bake sales, field trips, or parent meetings. Businesses put flyers on car windshields or bulletin boards to advertise their services.

Flyers are meant to be simple and eye-catching since people usually glance at them for just a few seconds. A good flyer grabs attention with bold headlines or bright images, then gives the essential information clearly. Unlike a thick brochure or lengthy email, a flyer delivers its message on a single page.

The word also means someone or something that flies. A bird is a flyer. A pilot is a flyer. When someone takes a risk or makes a bold attempt at something uncertain, people sometimes call it taking a flyer, meaning they're trying something that might not work out but could pay off if it does.