Winged means having wings. Birds, bats, and most insects are winged creatures because they have wings that let them fly through the air. A winged horse like Pegasus from Greek mythology could soar above the clouds, while real winged animals like eagles and dragonflies navigate the sky with remarkable skill.

The word also describes things decorated with wing shapes or designs. Ancient Egyptian art often showed winged suns, with carved or painted wings spreading out from a solar disk. You might see winged statues in museums, where sculptors added wings to human figures to represent gods, angels, or victory.

In poetic or literary language, winged can mean swift or flying, even when no actual wings are involved. A writer might describe winged words that seem to fly from one person's mouth to another person's ears, or winged thoughts that race through someone's mind. It can describe anything that moves with the speed and grace of flight, from arrows to time itself.