flourish

[ flur-ish, fluhr- ]

verb (used without object)

1. to be in a vigorous state; thrive:

   a period in which art flourished.

   Synonyms: increase, grow

   Antonyms: decline, fade

2. to be in its or in one's prime; be at the height of fame, excellence, influence, etc.
3. to be successful; prosper.
4. to grow luxuriantly, or thrive in growth, as a plant.
5. to make dramatic, sweeping gestures:

   Flourish more when you act out the king's great death scene.

6. to add embellishments and ornamental lines to writing, letters, etc.
7. to sound a trumpet call or fanfare.

verb (used with object)

1. to brandish dramatically; gesticulate with:

   a conductor flourishing his baton for the crescendo.

2. to decorate or embellish (writing, a page of script, etc.) with sweeping or fanciful curves or lines.

   Synonyms: ornament

noun

1. an act or instance of brandishing.
2. an ostentatious display.
3. a decoration or embellishment, especially in writing:

   He added a few flourishes to his signature.

   Synonyms: adornment, ornament

4. Rhetoric. a parade of fine language; an expression used merely for effect.
5. a trumpet call or fanfare.
6. a condition or period of thriving:

   in full flourish.

flourish

/ ˈflʌrɪʃ /

verb

1. intr to thrive; prosper
2. intr to be at the peak of condition
3. intr to be healthy

   plants flourish in the light

4. to wave or cause to wave in the air with sweeping strokes
5. to display or make a display
6. to play (a fanfare, etc) on a musical instrument
7. intr to embellish writing, characters, etc, with ornamental strokes
8. to add decorations or embellishments to (speech or writing)
9. intr an obsolete word for blossom

noun

1. the act of waving or brandishing
2. a showy gesture

   he entered with a flourish

3. an ornamental embellishment in writing
4. a display of ornamental language or speech
5. a grandiose passage of music
6. an ostentatious display or parade
7. obsolete.
   1. the state of flourishing
   2. the state of flowering

Derived Forms

• ˈflourisher, noun

Other Words From

• flourish·er noun
• outflourish verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of flourish¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English florisshen, from Middle French floriss-, long stem of florir, ultimately from Latin flōrēre “to bloom,” derivative of flōs flower

Word History and Origins

Origin of flourish¹

C13: from Old French florir , ultimately from Latin flōrēre to flower, from flōs a flower

Synonym Study

See succeed.

Example Sentences

Though there are flourishes of new material, disciples of composer Stephen Schwartz’s songs can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the changes are minor but welcome.

From Salon

BaronHR and its affiliates flourished, eventually expanding into about 15 states.

From New York Times

Although I have no formal training in pasta making, it’s a personal passion that unexpectedly flourished here.

From Salon

South could flourish despite the historical baggage of the American Revolution’s break from the Old World and its attendant monarchies and aristocracies.

From Salon

A constant lob threat, Mara could flourish in the pick and roll and has developed a variety of moves around the basket including jump hooks and drop steps.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• embellishment
• ornamentation
• quirk
• twist