flirtation

UK: /flɜː^rˈteɪʃ^ən/ US: (flûr tā′shən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

flir•ta•tion  (flûr tā′shən), n. 

1. the act or practice of flirting;
   coquetry.
2. a love affair that is not serious.

• flirt + -ation 1710–20

flir•ta′tion•al, adj. 
flir•ta′tion•less, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

flirtation / flɜːˈteɪʃən/ noun

1. behaviour intended to arouse sexual feelings or advances without emotional commitment; coquetry
2. any casual involvement without commitment: a flirtation with journalism

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

flirt /flɜrt/  v. 

1. [no object] to behave amorously toward someone in a casually playful manner.
2. to consider without seriousness; trifle or toy with:
   [~ + with] flirted with the idea of singing professionally

n. [countable]

3. a person who is given to flirting;
   a tease.

flir•ta•tion, n. 

[uncountable] harmless office flirtation.

[countable] minor flirtations with other workers.

flir•ta•tious /flɜrˈteɪʃəs/  adj. 
flir•ta•tious•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

flirt  (flûrt), v.i. 

1. to court triflingly or act amorously without serious intentions;
   play at love;
   coquet.
2. to trifle or toy, as with an idea:
   She flirted with the notion of buying a sports car.
3. to move with a jerk or jerks;
   dart about:
   butterflies flirting from flower to flower.

v.t. 

4. to give a sudden or brisk motion to;
   wave smartly, as a fan.
5. to throw or propel with a toss or jerk;
   fling suddenly.

n. 

6. Also, flirt′er. a person who is given to flirting.
7. a quick throw or toss;
   sudden jerk or darting motion.

• 1540–50; expressive word; compare similar initial cluster in flap, flick¹, flip¹, and final elements of squirt, spurt, etc.

flirt′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. . tease.
• 1, 2. . dally.
• 6. . minx, coquette, tease.