flamboyant

[ flam-boi-uh nt ]

/ flæmˈbɔɪ ənt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR flamboyant ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

strikingly bold or brilliant; showy: flamboyant colors.

conspicuously dashing and colorful: the flamboyant idol of international society.

florid; ornate; elaborately styled: flamboyant speeches.

Architecture.

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

noun

royal poinciana.

Nearby words

Origin of flamboyant

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

Related formsflam·boy·ance, flam·boy·an·cy, nounflam·boy·ant·ly, adverbun·flam·boy·ant, adjectiveun·flam·boy·ant·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for flamboyant

A flamboyant, multi-titled, multiply married royal to remember, the Duchess of Alba died Thursday at the age of 88.
Adiós to the Diva Duchess|Barbie Latza Nadeau|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Because when the biggest global demonstration is a broadcaster wearing a flamboyant article of clothing, more must be done.
‘To Russia With Love’: Can Johnny Weir Save Russia’s Gays?|Kevin Fallon|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Air Asia is run by a flamboyant character called Tony Fernandez.
Malaysia Airlines Is Going Down|Clive Irving|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whether Newark chooses the moderate and measured Jeffries or the fiery and flamboyant Baraka, there is cause for optimism.
The Leak of a Mysterious Video Could Change the Outcome of Newark’s Mayor’s Race|Charles Upton Sahm|May 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The most flamboyant of America's weenies, the Sonoran hot dog, has a murky genealogy.
El Guero Canelo Serves Tucson’s Most Mexcellent Hot Dog|Jane & Michael Stern|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hugo felt in him a certain aloofness, a detachment that checked his desire to throw himself into flamboyant conversation.
Gladiator|Philip Wylie
Acting has been flamboyant, extravagant, and intensely emotional, something quite different from real life.
The Merry-Go-Round|Carl Van Vechten
The cloisters are rich and flamboyant, but nevertheless more restrained than those of Salamanca.
Cathedrals of Spain|John A. (John Allyne) Gade
Indeed, the French flamboyant only makes its appearance at the time when flowing tracery was being abandoned in England.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4|Various
The apse is flamboyant, as are also the windows of the south transept.
The Cathedrals of Northern France|Francis Miltoun

British Dictionary definitions for flamboyant

flamboyant

/ (flæmˈbɔɪənt) /

adjective

elaborate or extravagant; florid; showy

rich or brilliant in colour; resplendent

exuberant or ostentatious

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

noun

another name for royal poinciana

Derived Formsflamboyance or flamboyancy, nounflamboyantly, adverb

Word Origin for flamboyant

C19: from French: flaming, from flamboyer to flame

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for flamboyant

flamboyant

adj.

1832, first used of a 15c.-16c. architectural style with flame-like curves, from French flamboyant "flaming, wavy," present participle of flamboyer "to flame," from Old French flamboier (12c.), from flambe "flame," from flamble, variant of flamme, from Latin flammula (see flame (n.)). Extended sense of "showy, ornate" is 1879. Related: Flamboyantly.