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flirting

flirting

43 3.5
Playful or romantic behavior that shows interest in someone
  • noun
  • /ˈflɜːrtɪŋ/
translation icon : coqueteo
  • Now listen, there's nothing wrong with flirting, all right, every so often.
  • flirting and kissing
  • physical flirting

Now listen, there's nothing wrong with flirting, all right, every so often.

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Examples

  • He was charming and lighthearted, using flirting to make her smile across the crowded room.

  • I want more than flirting from you.

  • I miss dancing, flirting, and seeing all the folk of the village pass through our halls.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Many men want the perfect script or to follow an agenda on flirting, but that's why it's an art.

  • There's nothing like flirting to give you a little sizzle.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Cal and Adriana enjoyed a fun dinner, their flirting progressing as the meal went on.

    Blog text (12)
  • Teens congregate near the common areas, some flirting, others showing off their skills with colorful yo-yos.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • At the party, their playful flirting was obvious to everyone around them.

  • Her flirting included winking and playful banter that caught his attention immediately.

Synonyms

flirtation
vsflirting
28 3.5

Playful behaviour to show romantic or sexual interest

is the active gestures aimed at attraction rather than the noun label for them
dalliance
vsflirting
  • NSFW
8 9.3

Playful romantic behavior with sexual hints for a short time

covers general behavior intended to attract interest, not only short episodes
flirtatiousness
vsflirting
1 6.7

Playful way of acting that shows romantic or sexual interest in another person

expresses the actual playful gestures rather than the general trait of doing so
coquetry
vsflirting
  • NSFW
1 9.5

Playful behavior to attract someone in a romantic way

is similar but also covers casual or unplanned attracting behavior
teasing
vsflirting
  • Offensive
1 7.0

Acting to show sexual interest without wanting to continue

aims to attract interest or romance rather than merely provoke desire
toying
vsflirting
  • Offensive
8.8

Playful teasing that tries to attract sexual attention

focuses more broadly on attracting romance or attention rather than pure arousal

Antonyms

5 5.8

Not feeling interested in something, like a talk or task

3 6.2

A strong feeling of dislike and disgust

How Flirtatious

seduction
  • NSFW
23 5.8
to put the moves on
  • NSFW
10 8.6
flirting
43 3.5
teasing
2.7
to banter
  • Informal
9 4.6

Surface Forms

flirting singular
flirtings plural

Morphology

flirting = flirt (transparent) = flirt + ing

The noun 'flirting' is a standard verbal noun/gerund formed from the verb 'flirt' with -ing and its meaning is directly derived from the base verb.

Etymology

Flirting likely comes from an old idea of a quick, light movement, like a small 'flick' or 'flip', and the base word flirt once suggested a sudden little motion. A helpful way to remember it is that flirting is like a playful 'flick' of attention—brief, teasing signs that show romantic interest.