Word Study
flirt
CIDE DICTIONARY
flirt, v. t. [Cf. AS. fleard trifle, folly, fleardian to trifle.].
- To throw with a jerk or quick effort; to fling suddenly; as, they flirt water in each other's faces; he flirted a glove, or a handkerchief. [1913 Webster]
- To toss or throw about; to move playfully to and fro; as, to flirt a fan. [1913 Webster]
- To jeer at; to treat with contempt; to mock. [1913 Webster]"I am ashamed; I am scorned; I am flirted." [1913 Webster]
flirt, v. i.
- To run and dart about; to act with giddiness, or from a desire to attract notice; especially, to play the coquette; to play at courtship; to coquet; as, they flirt with the young men. [1913 Webster]
- To utter contemptuous language, with an air of disdain; to jeer or gibe. Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
flirt, n.
- A sudden jerk; a quick throw or cast; a darting motion; hence, a jeer. [1913 Webster]"Several little flirts and vibrations." [1913 Webster]"With many a flirt and flutter." [1913 Webster]
- One who flirts; esp., a woman who acts with giddiness, or plays at courtship; a coquette; a pert girl. [1913 Webster]"Several young flirts about town had a design to cast us out of the fashionable world." [1913 Webster]
flirt, a.
Pert; wanton. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
flirt, v. & n.
--v.
1 intr. (usu. foll. by with) behave in a frivolously amorous or sexually enticing manner.
2 intr. (usu. foll. by with) a superficially interest oneself (with an idea etc.). b trifle (with danger etc.) (flirted with disgrace).
3 tr. wave or move (a fan, a bird's tail, etc.) briskly.
4 intr. & tr. move or cause to move with a jerk.
--n.
1 a person who indulges in flirting.
2 a quick movement; a sudden jerk.
--v.
1 intr. (usu. foll. by with) behave in a frivolously amorous or sexually enticing manner.
2 intr. (usu. foll. by with) a superficially interest oneself (with an idea etc.). b trifle (with danger etc.) (flirted with disgrace).
3 tr. wave or move (a fan, a bird's tail, etc.) briskly.
4 intr. & tr. move or cause to move with a jerk.
--n.
1 a person who indulges in flirting.
2 a quick movement; a sudden jerk.
Derivative
flirtation n. flirtatious adj. flirtatiously adv. flirtatiousness n. flirty adj. (flirtier, flirtiest).
Etymology
imit.
THESAURUS
flirt
Circe, Don Juan, Lorelei, Parthenope, Siren, Sunday painter, allure, amateur, bait, bait the hook, beak, blandish, bob, brush, bunt, cajole, captive, cast coquettish glances, catch, charmer, chuck, coax, conquest, consider, contemplate, coquet, coquette, dab, dabble, dabbler, dallier, dally, date, decoy, dilettante, draw, draw in, draw on, enchanter, enchantress, ensnare, entertain, entice, enticer, eye, femme fatale, fiddle, fiddle with, fiddle-faddle, fidget with, fillip, finger with, flick, flip, flirt with, flounce, fool, fool around, fool with, fribble, frivol, gallivant, give the come-on, gold digger, gold-dig, graze, hitch, honey, horse around, hussy, idle, inveigle, inveigler, jerk, jerk off, jig, jigger, jigget, jiggle, jog, joggle, kid around, lady-killer, lead on, loiter, look sweet upon, lounge lizard, lure, make eyes at, masher, mess around, minx, monkey, monkey around, offer bait to, ogle, pat, peck, pet, philander, philanderer, pick, piddle, piddler, play, play around, play with, playboy, pluck, potter, potterer, putter, putterer, rap, rope in, run around, seduce, seducer, seductress, sheik, siren, smatter, smatterer, snake, snap, snatch, start, steady, string, strumpet, suck in, sudden pull, sweet patootie, sweetheart, sweetie, tantalize, tap, tease, teaser, tempter, temptress, think about, think of, tickle, tinker, tip, touch, toy, toy with, trifle, trifle with, trifler, tweak, twiddle, twitch, vamp, vampire, whisk, whore, wolf, woo, wrench, yank, yerkROGET THESAURUS
flirt
Fop
N fop, fine gentleman, swell, dandy, dandiprat, exquisite, coxcomb, beau, macaroni, blade, blood, buck, man about town, fast man, fribble, milliner, Jemmy Jessamy, carpet knight, masher, dude, fine lady, coquette, flirt, vamp.Love
N love, fondness, liking, inclination, regard, dilection, admiration, fancy, affection, sympathy, fellow-feeling, tenderness, heart, brotherly love, benevolence, attachment, yearning, eros, tender passion, amour, gyneolatry, gallantry, passion, flame, devotion, fervor, enthusiasm, transport of love, rapture, enchantment, infatuation, adoration, idolatry, Cupid, Venus, myrtle, true lover's knot, love token, love suit, love affair, love tale, love story, the, old story, plighted love, courtship, amourette, free love, maternal love, storge, parental love, young love, puppy love, attractiveness, popularity, favorite, lover, suitor, follower, admirer, adorer, wooer, amoret, beau, sweetheart, inamorato, swain, young man, flame, love, truelove, leman, Lothario, gallant, paramour, amoroso, cavaliere servente, captive, cicisbeo, caro sposo, inamorata, ladylove, idol, darling, duck, Dulcinea, angel, goddess, cara sposa, betrothed, affianced, fiancee, flirt, coquette, amorette, pair of turtledoves, abode of love, agapemone, loving, fond of, taken with, struck with, smitten, bitten, attached to, wedded to, enamored, charmed, in love, love-sick, over head and ears in love, head over heels in love, affectionate, tender, sweet upon, sympathetic, loving, amorous, amatory, fond, erotic, uxorious, ardent, passionate, rapturous, devoted, motherly, loved, beloved well beloved, dearly beloved, dear, precious, darling, pet, little, favorite, popular, congenial, after one's mind, after one's taste, after one's fancy, after one's own heart, to one's mind, to one's taste, to one's fancy, to one's own heart, in one's good graces, dear as the apple of one's eye, nearest to one's heart, lovable, adorable, lovely, sweet, attractive, seductive, winning, charming, engaging, interesting, enchanting, captivating, fascinating, bewitching, amiable, like an angel, amantes amentes, credula res amor est, militat omnis amasius, love conquers all, omnia vincit amor, si vis amari ama, the sweetest joy, the wildest woe.VB love, like, affect, fancy, care for, take an interest in, be partial to, sympathize with, affection, be in love with, have a love, for, entertain a love, for, harbor cherish a love, for, regard, revere, take to, bear love to, be wedded to, set one's affections on, make much of, feast one's eyes on, hold dear, prize, hug, cling to, cherish, pet, burn, adore, idolize, love to distraction, aimer eperdument, dote on, dote upon, take a fancy to, look sweet upon, become enamored, fall in love with, lose one's heart, desire, excite love, win the heart, gain the heart, win the affections, gain the affections, secure the love, engage the affections, take the fancy of have a place in the heart, wind round the heart, attract, attach, endear, charm, fascinate, captivate, bewitch, seduce, enamor, enrapture, turn the head, get into favor, ingratiate oneself, insinuate oneself, worm oneself, propitiate, curry favor with, pay one's court to, faire l'aimable, set one's cap at, flirt.
Endearment
VB caress, fondle, pet, dandle, pat, pat on the head, pat on the cheek, chuck under the chin, smile upon, coax, wheedle, cosset, coddle, cocker, cockle, make of, make much of, cherish, foster, kill with kindness, clasp, hug, cuddle, fold in one's arms, strain in one's arms, nestle, nuzzle, embrace, kiss, buss, smack, blow a kiss, salute, fold to the heart, press to the bosom, bill and coo, spoon, toy, dally, flirt, coquet, gallivant, galavant, philander, make love, pay one's court to, pay one's addresses to, pay one's attentions to, serenade, court, woo, set one's cap at, be sweet upon, look sweet upon, ogle, cast sheep's eyes upon, faire les yeux doux, fall in love with, win the affections, die for, propose, make an offer, have an offer, pop the question, plight one's troth, plight one's faith.Propulsion
VB propel, project, throw, fling, cast, pitch, chuck, toss, jerk, heave, shy, hurl, flirt, fillip, dart, lance, tilt, ejaculate, jaculate, fulminate, bolt, drive, sling, pitchfork, send, send off, let off, fire off, discharge, shoot, launch, release, send forth, let fly, put in orbit, send into orbit, launch into orbit dash, put in motion, set in motion, set agoing, start, give a start, give an impulse to, impel, trundle, expel, carry one off one's legs, put to flight.For further exploring for "flirt" in Webster Dictionary Online