FLIRT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does flirt mean? 

• FLIRT (noun)
  The noun FLIRT has 2 senses:

1. a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men

2. playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest

  Familiarity information: FLIRT used as a noun is rare.

• FLIRT (verb)
  The verb FLIRT has 2 senses:

1. talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions

2. behave carelessly or indifferently

  Familiarity information: FLIRT used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FLIRT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

coquette; flirt; minx; prickteaser; tease; vamp; vamper

Hypernyms ("flirt" is a kind of...):

adult female; woman (an adult female person (as opposed to a man))

Derivation:

flirt (talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions)

flirtatious (like a coquette)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

coquetry; dalliance; flirt; flirtation; flirting; toying

Hypernyms ("flirt" is a kind of...):

caper; frolic; gambol; play; romp (gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement)

Derivation:

flirt (talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions)

flirtatious (like a coquette)

• FLIRT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they flirt    ... he / she / it flirts   
Past simple: flirted   
Past participle: flirted   
-ing form: flirting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

butterfly; chat up; coquet; coquette; dally; flirt; mash; philander; romance

Context example:

My husband never flirts with other women

Hypernyms (to "flirt" is one way to...):

speak; talk (exchange thoughts; talk with)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "flirt"):

wanton (engage in amorous play)

vamp (act seductively with (someone))

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

Sam wants to flirt with Sue

Derivation:

flirt (playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest)

flirt (a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men)

flirtation; flirting (playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Behave carelessly or indifferently

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

dally; flirt; play; toy

Context example:

Play about with a young girl's affection

Hypernyms (to "flirt" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Verb group:

dally; play; trifle (consider not very seriously)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

flirting (playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest)

 Context examples 

While there was an officer in Meryton, they would flirt with him; and while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn, they would be going there forever.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Lord Ingram flirted with Amy Eshton; Louisa played and sang to and with one of the Messrs.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

It is probable that she will neither love so well, nor flirt so well, as she might do either singly.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Ned was offended and turned to Sallie for consolation, saying to her rather pettishly, "There isn't a bit of flirt in that girl, is there?"

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The she-wolf flirted her head like the snap of a whip, breaking the weasel's hold and flinging it high in the air.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He has now and then been a sad flirt, and cared very little for the havoc he might be making in young ladies' affections.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I attached myself to a young creature in pink, with little eyes, and flirted with her desperately.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

“Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse flirted together excessively.”

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Wolf Larsen dropped my hand with a flirt of disdain.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I hope I have not done wrong, for as sleep begins to flirt with me, a new fear comes: that I may have been foolish in thus depriving myself of the power of waking.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)