Dictionary.com

flirt

[ flurt ]
/ flɜrt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: flirt / flirting / flirty on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to give a sudden or brisk motion to; wave smartly, as a fan.
to throw or propel with a toss or jerk; fling suddenly.
noun
Also flirter. a person who is given to flirting.
a quick throw or toss; sudden jerk or darting motion.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"
"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."
Question 1 of 7
IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?
have
be
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of flirt

1540–50; expressive word; compare similar initial cluster in flap, flick1, flip1, and final elements of squirt, spurt, etc.

OTHER WORDS FROM flirt

flirt·ing·ly, adverbflirt·y, adjective, flirt·i·er, flirt·i·est
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to flirt

tease, coquette, cruiser, heartbreaker, operator, philanderer, player, seducer, siren, swinger, trifler, vamp, vixen, wanton, wolf, banter, coquet, dally, disport, eyeball

British Dictionary definitions for flirt

flirt
/ (flɜːt) /
verb
(intr) to behave or act amorously without emotional commitment; toy or play with another's affections; dally
(intr usually foll by with) to deal playfully or carelessly (with something dangerous or serious); triflethe motorcyclist flirted with death
(intr usually foll by with) to think casually (about); toy (with)to flirt with the idea of leaving
(intr) to move jerkily; dart; flit
(tr) to subject to a sudden swift motion; flick or toss
noun
a person who acts flirtatiously

Derived forms of flirt

flirter, nounflirty, adjectiveflirtingly, adverb

Word Origin for flirt

C16: of uncertain origin
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
FEEDBACK