What does volant mean?
Volant is a formal English adjective meaning flying or able to fly. In zoological and ecological writing, it describes birds, insects, and bats as creatures adapted for powered flight, and it can distinguish them from flightless or ground-dwelling animals. The term is also established in heraldry, where an animal is described as volant when it is depicted with its wings spread as though in flight. Its register is specialized and literary rather than everyday: outside technical contexts, a speaker will usually choose flying, winged, or airborne. Volant is useful because it names a biological or emblematic condition precisely, rather than merely suggesting general movement through the air. It also connects directly with Latin volare, “to fly,” the source of several English words. The word is uncommon in conversation but useful for readers of natural history, heraldry, and descriptive scholarship.
adjectiveFlying or able to fly. In heraldry, shown with wings extended as though in flight.
- Flying or capable of flight.
- In heraldry, depicted with wings spread as though in flight.
"Bats are the only volant mammals."
"The bat is a volant mammal whose wings provide both lift and propulsion."
"The shield portrays a gryphon volant, with its wings fully extended."
Volant is the specialist’s label for built to fly—even a bat can be called a volant mammal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does volant come from?
English borrowed volant from French, where it is the present participle of voler, “to fly.” The French word derives from Latin volant-, the present participle of volare, “to fly.” The same Latin root underlies related English words such as volatile, volley, and volatory.
How volant is actually used
This is a specialized, formal word used chiefly in zoology, ecology, and heraldry. In everyday speech, flying, winged, or airborne will usually sound more natural.
Easily confused with volant
Voluntary means performed or chosen freely, whereas volant means flying or capable of flight.