coquette

[ koh-ket ]

noun

1. a woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to win their admiration and affection; flirt.

   Synonyms: vamp, tease

verb (used without object)

1. to coquet.

coquette

/ kɒˈkɛt; kəʊˈkɛt /

noun

1. a woman who flirts
2. any hummingbird of the genus Lophornis, esp the crested Brazilian species L. magnifica

Gender Note

What's the difference between coquette and coquet? See -ette.

Derived Forms

• coˈquettishly, adverb
• coˈquettish, adjective
• coˈquettishness, noun

Other Words From

• co·quet·tish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coquette¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from French, feminine of coquet

Word History and Origins

Origin of coquette¹

C17: from French, feminine of coquet

Example Sentences

McCarthy observes that he is “a transvestite’s and fetishist’s dream of alluring ambiguity … a provocative coquette of a boy.”

From New York Times

The powerful, complex female lead was a rarity in traditional music theatre, where operatic tropes were easily assimilated, such as the virginal naif, the coquette, the old shrew.

From Salon

Corrin immediately achieves a balance between the coquette and energetic idealist we picture Diana to be, and her performance invites the viewer into the Princess's interiority almost immediately.

From Salon

Sexy did not mean revealing skin or playing the part of the coquette.

From Washington Post

As that awesome wordsmith Plutarch pointed out — “It was by this device of Cleopatra’s that Caesar was first captivated, for she showed herself to be a bold coquette.”

From Seattle Times