flirtatious
Americanadjective
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given to flirtation
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expressive of playful sexual invitation
a flirtatious glance
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of flirtatious
First recorded in 1825–35; flirtat(ion) + -ious
Explanation
When you're flirtatious, you have a playful kind of banter, especially with someone in whom you're romantically interested. Your heart will flutter if your crush gives you a flirtatious smile. You might expect two lovesick teenagers to be flirtatious with each other, while it's deeply embarrassing to watch your grandmother treat her favorite waiter in a flirtatious way. Don't take it too seriously, though — there's a lightheartedness to all flirtatious behavior. In fact, the unserious 16th-century meaning of flirt was "to flit inconstantly from object to object."
Vocabulary lists containing flirtatious
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Maria believed she was romancing a prince from Dubai, captivated by his flirtatious smile and declarations of affection he showered on her during live video calls.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
Andie tosses a few flirtatious barbs across the checkout counter, inquiring if Blane will be paying with cash or an American Express Platinum card.
From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2026
The press trail for the new Wuthering Heights film has been a cocktail of flirtatious looks, Valentine's Day roses and "mutual obsession" for leads Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
Mojica even shares flirtatious moments onscreen while interviewing Noé Margarito Zaragoza, a dashing and stoic ranchero who lives discreetly as a gay man.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 30, 2026
Sing Sing’s one female sergeant, Cooper, who was in charge of housekeeping, warned female officers several times at lineup that they were not to wear makeup or engage in any flirtatious behavior with inmates.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
