flirt

[ flurt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to court triflingly or act amorously without serious intentions; play at love; coquet.

   Synonyms: dally, tease

2. to trifle or toy, as with an idea:

   She flirted with the notion of buying a sports car.

   Synonyms: dally

3. to move with a jerk or jerks; dart about:

   butterflies flirting from flower to flower.

verb (used with object)

1. to give a sudden or brisk motion to; wave smartly, as a fan.
2. to throw or propel with a toss or jerk; fling suddenly.

noun

1. Also flirter. a person who is given to flirting.

   Synonyms: tease, coquette, minx

2. a quick throw or toss; sudden jerk or darting motion.

flirt

/ flɜːt /

verb

1. intr to behave or act amorously without emotional commitment; toy or play with another's affections; dally
2. intrusually foll bywith to deal playfully or carelessly (with something dangerous or serious); trifle

   the motorcyclist flirted with death

3. intrusually foll bywith to think casually (about); toy (with)

   to flirt with the idea of leaving

4. intr to move jerkily; dart; flit
5. tr to subject to a sudden swift motion; flick or toss

noun

1. a person who acts flirtatiously

Derived Forms

• ˈflirter, noun
• ˈflirty, adjective
• ˈflirtingly, adverb

Other Words From

• flirt·ing·ly adverb
• flirt·y adjective flirtier flirtiest

Word History and Origins

Origin of flirt¹

First recorded in 1540–50; of expressive origin; compare similar initial cluster in flap, flick ¹, flip ¹ and final elements of squirt, spurt

Word History and Origins

Origin of flirt¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Related Words

• tease