flirt

[flurt]

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.

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

/ 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

noun

1. a person who acts flirtatiously

Other Word Forms

• flirter noun
• flirty adjective
• flirtingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of flirt¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of flirt¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Though her film flirts with surrealism, Bronstein carefully maintains a sense of truth as Linda scrapes past a never-ending pile of obstacles, trying to claw her way free before she’s buried alive.

Read more on Salon

There are videos that will tell you how to flirt.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Ray winds up in sick bay, where he flirts with a female Marine.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It sounded nasty but it feels like you're flirting with me," she trills.

Read more on BBC

And after that, the Dodgers flirted with an unthinkable collapse.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• tease