Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who behaves in a playful or teasing way to attract romantic or sexual attention: A "flirt" is someone who engages in lighthearted, often suggestive, conversation or behavior without serious romantic intent.
   • A brief, playful interaction suggesting romantic interest: The act of flirting itself can be referred to as a "flirt."

2. Verb:

   • To behave in a playful or teasing way to attract romantic or sexual attention: To "flirt" means to act in a charming, light, and often suggestive manner toward someone, usually without the intention of a serious relationship.
   • To consider or toy with an idea casually: To "flirt" can also mean to think about something in a non-committal or playful way.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He's such a flirt; he's always winking and complimenting everyone at the party.
  • Their conversation was just a harmless flirt at the coffee shop.

• Verb:

  • She likes to flirt with the bartender when she orders a drink.
  • I've been flirting with the idea of moving to a different city, but I haven't made any plans.

Advanced Usage

• "To flirt with danger/disaster": To engage in risky behavior that could lead to serious trouble.

  • Driving that fast on a wet road is flirting with disaster.

• "A harmless flirt": Flirting that is not intended to be serious or lead to anything.

  • It was just a harmless flirt; neither of us meant anything by it.

Variants and Related Words

• Flirtation (n): The act or an instance of flirting.

  • Their flirtation lasted all evening but never went further.

• Flirtatious (adj): Behaving in a way that shows a playful sexual attraction.

  • She gave him a flirtatious smile.

Synonyms

• Tease: To playfully provoke or tempt someone.
• Coy: Pretending to be shy or modest, often in a flirtatious way.
• Dally: To act or move slowly or waste time; to toy with something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Flirt with: This is the standard construction for the verb.
  • He was flirting with the new intern during the meeting.
  • The company is flirting with bankruptcy.

Related Idioms

• Flirt with the idea: To consider something casually or without commitment.

  • We've been flirting with the idea of getting a dog for years.

• Make eyes at someone: To look at someone in a way that shows romantic or sexual interest (a form of flirting).

  • He was making eyes at her from across the room.

Noun

1. playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
2. a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men

Verb

1. behave carelessly or indifferently
   • Play about with a young girl's affection
2. talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
   • The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries
   • My husband never flirts with other women