flirt

American  

[flurt] / flɜrt /

verb (used without object)

1. to court triflingly or act amorously without serious intentions; play at love; coquet.

   Synonyms:

   dally, tease

2. to trifle or toy, as with an idea.

   She flirted with the notion of buying a sports car.

   Synonyms:

   dally

3. to move with a jerk or jerks; dart about.

   butterflies flirting from flower to flower.

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verb (used with object)

1. to give a sudden or brisk motion to; wave smartly, as a fan.

2. to throw or propel with a toss or jerk; fling suddenly.

noun

1. Also flirter. a person who is given to flirting.

   Synonyms:

   tease, coquette, minx

2. a quick throw or toss; sudden jerk or darting motion.

flirt British  

/ flɜːt /

verb

1. (intr) to behave or act amorously without emotional commitment; toy or play with another's affections; dally

2. to deal playfully or carelessly (with something dangerous or serious); trifle

   the motorcyclist flirted with death

3. to think casually (about); toy (with)

   to flirt with the idea of leaving

4. (intr) to move jerkily; dart; flit

5. (tr) to subject to a sudden swift motion; flick or toss

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noun

1. a person who acts flirtatiously

Other Word Forms

• flirter noun
• flirtingly adverb
• flirty adjective

Etymology

Origin of flirt

First recorded in 1540–50; of expressive origin; compare similar initial cluster in flap, flick ¹, flip ¹ and final elements of squirt, spurt

Related Words

• tease