WordGarden.ioflirt
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /flˈɜːt/
US
- /ˈflɜrt/
Meanings
Verb
to behave playfully as if romantically attracted to someone
to show tentative interest in an idea or possibility
to come close to danger or a bad outcome
Noun
a person who often flirts
Beyond the definition
To flirt is to act in a playful way that shows romantic or sexual interest. It does not always mean someone wants a serious relationship; sometimes it is simply a light, fun way to connect. You might see people do it through eye contact, compliments, teasing, or a warm tone of voice. In movies and real life, people often do this to test interest or enjoy the moment. Still, context matters, because what feels harmless to one person may feel uncomfortable to another. Respect for the other person's response and boundaries is always important.
Flirting is a social way of showing romantic or sexual interest through playful words, tone, and body language. It is more than simple friendliness, because it usually carries a small spark of attraction. A person might do it with a longer glance, a teasing comment, a smile, a compliment, or a light joke that feels a little more personal than ordinary conversation.
The word can also describe someone who often behaves this way, or a situation that has this playful feeling. In many cases, it is light and harmless. People may do it to show interest, build closeness, enjoy attention, or see whether the feeling is returned. Sometimes it leads to dating or romance, and sometimes it goes no further than a lively exchange.
Context matters a lot. What seems welcome in one setting may seem rude or inappropriate in another. Cultural habits, personality, the relationship between the people, and the place all affect how such behavior is understood. The same smile or joke might feel sweet at a party but out of place at work.
Because of that, the idea is closely tied to consent and boundaries. If the attention is not wanted, it stops being playful and becomes a problem. So the word often suggests a mix of charm, play, and uncertainty: an approach that may invite romance, but does not always promise anything serious.
Examples
- 1
Romantic interest
He spent the whole evening flirting with the woman at the bar.
- 2
Playful behavior
She likes to flirt a little, but she is not looking for a relationship.
- 3
Unclear signals
Are you flirting with me, or are you just being nice?
- 4
Flirt noun
Ben is such a flirt that nobody takes his compliments seriously.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Career idea
During college, she briefly flirted with the idea of becoming an actor.
- Patternflirt with the idea of + plan
consider it briefly, but not very seriously
- 6
Risky behavior
Driving that fast on an icy road is flirting with disaster.
- Phraseflirt with disaster
do something risky that could end badly
See also
Similar
- make eyes at
- hit on
- chat up
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- flirt with someone
- flirt outrageously
- harmless flirting
Word family
Explore
- attraction
- romantic interest
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- flirtnounverb
Forms
- flirting-ing formverbnoun
- flirtedpast tenseverbnoun
- flirtspluralnounverb