coquet

[ koh-ket ]

verb (used without object)

, co·quet·ted, co·quet·ting.

1. to try to attract the attention and admiration of men for mere self-gratification; flirt.

   Synonyms: tease, dally

2. to act without seriousness; trifle; dally.

adjective

1. coquettish.

noun

1. Obsolete. a male flirt.

coquet

/ kəʊˈkɛt; kɒ- /

verb

1. to behave flirtatiously
2. to dally or trifle

Word History and Origins

Origin of coquet¹

1685–95; < French; literally, cockerel, equivalent to coq cock + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of coquet¹

C17: from French: a gallant, literally: a little cock, from coq cock

Example Sentences

I am yet vain enough to think I deserve it better than all those flirting girls you coquet with.

From Project Gutenberg

True, she coquets and makes eyes at everybody who looks at her.

From Project Gutenberg

Why is it that only the Pole fawns, only the Pole coquets?

From Project Gutenberg

It is a game that lures a man, it coquets with him, trifles with his yearnings and his hopes, and flouts him.

From Project Gutenberg

His wings moved so slowly he seemed to fly without pressure on the air—as slowly as a lady fans herself when there is no one to coquet with.

From Project Gutenberg