Definition

1. 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

1. talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
   • The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries
   • My husband never flirts with other women