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

Explanation

If you're interested in someone romantically, you might flirt with them, which means to chat them up or tease them in a playful way. Flirting is an indirect and fun way to let your crush know you're interested, like a seductive line or a few coy words. Or if there's a girl you've had your eye on, you might make a point of walking by her desk and saying hello every morning. But even if you don't have a love interest, you can still flirt. Driving carelessly is flirting with disaster: it's almost like you're toying with the idea of getting into an accident.

Example Sentences

Many of those companies would flirt with losing money if competition from AI materializes, and a few might ultimately file for bankruptcy.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

Alice gives him a lift to camp; they banter and flirt after a fashion.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

First, there’s a pantomimed back story: During the overture, actors depicting the lovers as young teens flirt and are discouraged by adults.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

It’s no-bake, yes, but it’s also a canvas: a place to flirt with flavor, indulge in textures, and conjure a sliceable memory.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2025

Elsbeth laughed, and because she didn't want to give up her opportunity to flirt with either boy, she told them she liked both equally well.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• tease