coquet
/kou'ket/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To behave in a flirtatious or teasing manner, especially without serious romantic intentions. It involves playful romantic or amorous behavior that is lighthearted and not meant to lead to a committed relationship.
- To treat something serious in a frivolous or trifling way; to dally with an idea or issue without serious commitment.
Usage
- As a verb, "coquet" is used to describe the act of flirting playfully. It is a somewhat literary or old-fashioned term.
- It is typically used intransitively (e.g., ) or transitively with the object being the subject of the frivolous behavior (e.g., ).
Examples
- Verb:
- At the party, she would often coquet with the young officers, enjoying the attention.
- The politician was accused of coquetting with the controversial policy to gain votes, without any intention of implementing it.
- He doesn't coquet; his romantic interests are always sincere.
Advanced Usage
- "to coquet with danger": To behave recklessly or to treat a dangerous situation lightly.
- By hiking alone in the storm, he was coquetting with danger.
- "to coquet with an idea": To consider an idea in a non-serious, playful, or indecisive manner.
- For years, she coquetted with the idea of moving abroad but never made any plans.
Variants and Related Words
- Coquetry (n): Flirtatious behavior or the act of coquetting.
- Her coquetry was charming but insincere.
- Coquette (n): A woman who flirts playfully with men without serious intentions.
- In the novel, the protagonist is a famous coquette.
- Coquettish (adj): Characteristic of a coquette; flirtatious.
- She gave him a coquettish smile.
Synonyms
- Flirt: To behave as though attracted to someone, without serious intent.
- Dally: To act or move slowly or waste time; to flirt.
- Tease: To make fun of or attempt to provoke in a playful way.
- Trifle (with): To treat without seriousness or respect.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
(While "coquet" itself does not form standard phrasal verbs, it is commonly used with the preposition "with.") - Coquet with: To flirt with someone or to treat something (an idea, concept) lightly. - It is unwise to coquet with people's emotions. - The author coquetted with various literary styles before finding his own.
Related Idioms
- Play the coquette: To act like a coquette; to engage in flirtatious behavior.
- At the ball, she decided to play the coquette and enjoyed the attention of many suitors.
Verb
- talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
- The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries
- My husband never flirts with other women