WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026flirt /flɜrt/USA pronunciation v.
- [no object] to behave amorously toward someone in a casually playful manner.
- to consider without seriousness; trifle or toy with:[~ + with]flirted with the idea of singing professionally
n. [countable]
- a person who is given to flirting;
a tease.
flir•ta•tion, n. [uncountable]harmless office flirtation.[countable]minor flirtations with other workers.
flir•ta•tious /flɜrˈteɪʃəs/USA pronunciation adj.
flir•ta•tious•ly, adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026flirt
(flûrt),USA pronunciation v.i.
- to court triflingly or act amorously without serious intentions;
play at love;
coquet.
- to trifle or toy, as with an idea:She flirted with the notion of buying a sports car.
- to move with a jerk or jerks;
dart about:butterflies flirting from flower to flower.
v.t.
- to give a sudden or brisk motion to;
wave smartly, as a fan.
- to throw or propel with a toss or jerk;
fling suddenly.
n.
- Also, flirt′er. a person who is given to flirting.
- a quick throw or toss;
sudden jerk or darting motion.
- 1540–50; expressive word; compare similar initial cluster in flap, flick1, flip1, and final elements of squirt, spurt, etc.
1. . tease. 1. 2. . dally. 6. . minx, coquette, tease.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
flirt /flɜːt/ vb - (intransitive) to behave or act amorously without emotional commitment; toy or play with another's affections; dally
- (intransitive) usually followed by with: to deal playfully or carelessly (with something dangerous or serious); trifle: the motorcyclist flirted with death
- (intransitive) usually followed by with: to think casually (about); toy (with): to flirt with the idea of leaving
- (intransitive) to move jerkily; dart; flit
- (transitive) to subject to a sudden swift motion; flick or toss
n - a person who acts flirtatiously
Etymology: 16th Century: of uncertain originˈflirter n ˈflirty adj
'flirt with' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):