flamboyant

American  

[flam-boi-uhnt] / flæmˈbɔɪ ənt /

adjective

1. strikingly bold or brilliant; showy.

   flamboyant colors.

2. conspicuously dashing and colorful.

   the flamboyant idol of international society.

3. florid; ornate; elaborately styled.

   flamboyant speeches.

4. Architecture.

   1. having the form of an ogee, as a bar of tracery.

   2. noting or pertaining to French Gothic architecture of the late 15th and early and middle 16th centuries, characterized by the use of flamboyant tracery, intricacy of detailing, virtuosity of workmanship, attenuation of parts, and frequent complication of interior space.

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noun

1. royal poinciana.

flamboyant British  

/ flæmˈbɔɪənt /

adjective

1. elaborate or extravagant; florid; showy

2. rich or brilliant in colour; resplendent

3. exuberant or ostentatious

4. of, denoting, or relating to the French Gothic style of architecture characterized by flamelike tracery and elaborate carving

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noun

1. another name for royal poinciana

Other Word Forms

• flamboyance noun
• flamboyancy noun
• flamboyantly adverb
• unflamboyant adjective
• unflamboyantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of flamboyant

1825–35; < French, present participle of flamboyer to flame, flair, derivative of Old French flambe flame; -ant

Example Sentences

A real showboater is someone whose very mention elicits warm, fuzzy memories of flamboyant flicks and trickery.

From BBC

She will face Maine’s current governor or a flamboyant and controversial oysterman.

From Los Angeles Times

Proud, flamboyant ridiculousness is all over Mr. Jacobs’s work.

From The Wall Street Journal

The apparent multi-millionaire loved high fashion, and wore flamboyant designer clothes while walking her Italian greyhounds.

From BBC

The U.S., even under a less flamboyant president, would be prepared to risk a great deal to defend its prestige.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bombastic
• brilliant
• colorful
• dazzling
• flashy
• glamorous
• ornate
• splashy
• swashbuckling