Definition

1. Verb:

   • To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way: To be strong, healthy, and successful, often in a way that is noticeable.
   • To be very successful; to prosper: To do or fare well; to thrive.
   • To wave something in the air to attract attention: To move something back and forth in a bold, sweeping, or showy manner.

2. Noun:

   • A bold or extravagant gesture or action: A showy movement or display, often made to attract attention or express confidence.
   • An ornamental flowing curve in handwriting or design: A decorative addition or embellishment, especially in writing or art.
   • A fanfare of brass music: A short, loud, and lively piece of music, typically played by trumpets or other brass instruments.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • Plants flourish in this rich soil. (Plants grow very well in this rich soil.)
  • The arts flourished during the Renaissance. (The arts were very successful and productive during the Renaissance.)
  • He flourished the document for everyone to see. (He waved the document boldly for everyone to see.)

• Noun:

  • She opened the door with a flourish. (She opened the door with a confident, showy movement.)
  • The signature ended with an elegant flourish. (The signature ended with a decorative curved line.)
  • The king's entrance was announced with a flourish of trumpets. (The king's entrance was announced with a short, loud piece of trumpet music.)

Advanced Usage

• "to flourish in an environment": to thrive or be very successful under specific conditions.

  • Some students flourish in a collaborative learning environment. (Some students thrive and do their best work in a collaborative learning environment.)

• "a rhetorical flourish": an elaborate or stylish expression in speech or writing.

  • His speech was full of rhetorical flourishes. (His speech contained many elaborate and stylish expressions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Flourishing (adj): Growing or developing in a healthy or vigorous way; thriving.
  • The town has a flourishing arts scene. (The town has a thriving and successful arts scene.)

Synonyms

• Verb: Thrive, prosper, bloom, blossom, boom, succeed.
• Noun: Fanfare, show, display, ornamentation, embellishment, sweep.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This word is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "To be in full flourish": To be at the peak of success, growth, or activity.
  • The festival was in full flourish by midday. (The festival was at its busiest and most active point by midday.)

Noun

1. (music) a short lively tune played on brass instruments
   • he entered to a flourish of trumpets
   • her arrival was greeted with a rousing fanfare
2. the act of waving
3. a display of ornamental speech or language
4. an ornamental embellishment in writing
5. a showy gesture
   • she entered with a great flourish

Verb

1. move or swing back and forth
   • She waved her gun
2. make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance
   • The new student is thriving
3. grow vigorously
   • The deer population in this town is thriving
   • business is booming