What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
darting
Example
The bird was darting around the tree branches. [darting: verb]
Example
Her eyes were darting around the room, looking for any signs of danger. [darting: present participle]
flitting
Example
The butterfly was flitting from flower to flower. [flitting: verb]
Example
She had a flitting thought about what she should wear to the party. [flitting: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Flitting is less common than darting in everyday language. Darting is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while flitting is more specific and often used in literary or poetic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between darting and flitting?
Both darting and flitting are relatively informal words, but darting can be used in more formal contexts due to its versatility and broader usage.