flirt Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men
minx; prickteaser; tease; vamper; coquette; vamp.
noun playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
coquetry; dalliance; flirting; flirtation; toying.
verb talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
butterfly; coquet; coquette; mash; romance; philander; dally; chat up.
- The guys always try to chat up the new secretaries
- My husband never flirts with other women
verb behave carelessly or indifferently
toy; play; dally.
- Play about with a young girl's affection

Cf. AS. fleard trifle, folly, fleardian to trifle.

imperfect & past participle Flirted; present participle & verbal noun Flirting

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.
To toss or throw about; to move playfully to and fro; as, to flirt a fan.
To jeer at; to treat with contempt; to mock. Obs.
I am ashamed; I am scorned; I am flirted. Beau. & Fl.

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.
To utter contemptious language, with an air of disdain; to jeer or gibe. Obs. Beau. & Fl.

A sudden jerk; a quick throw or cast; a darting motion; hence, a jeer.
Several little flirts and vibrations. Addison.

With many a flirt and flutter. E. A. Poe.
Cf. LG. flirtje, G. flirtchen. See Flirt, v. t. One who flirts; esp., a woman who acts with giddiness, or plays at courtship; a coquette; a pert girl.
Several young flirts about town had a design to cast us out of the fashionable world. Addison.