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

• flirtingly adverb
• flirty adjective
• flirter noun

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

He’s still testing his limits by doing things only a wealthy, famous actor can do, like flirting with reputational disaster by performing with a pop star.

From Salon

Creamy, with a sweetness that flirted between honeyed custard and the milk leftover at the end end of a bowl of Cheerio’s — decadent, strange and oddly comforting.

From Salon

It doesn’t flirt like a tomato or shimmer like a cherry on its stem.

From Salon

They may be a stylist, an industry insider or simply a courageous flirt, but a compliment on what Charlotte is wearing is inevitable.

From Los Angeles Times

There's hope at least that the Potters might flirt with the play-offs this time around.

From BBC

Related Words

• tease