What does flirtation mean?
Flirtation refers to playful, often light-hearted behaviour through which people express romantic or amatory interest without committing to anything serious — exchanged glances, teasing banter, and suggestive compliments all fall under its umbrella. Beyond romance, the word has acquired a well-established figurative use: one may speak of 'a flirtation with Marxism' or 'a flirtation with acting' to describe a brief, tentative engagement with an idea or pursuit that is ultimately abandoned. The word derives from the older verb 'flirt', itself attested by the sixteenth century, and it carries a connotation of insincerity by design — a flirtation is understood by all parties to be provisional and undemanding. In everyday English it appears frequently in both social gossip and cultural commentary, describing everything from holiday romances to celebrities' passing political phases, and its tone ranges from affectionately indulgent to mildly disapproving depending on context.
nounA brief or casual bout of flirting — playful, often superficial behaviour intended to show romantic or amorous interest without serious commitment. The term is also used figuratively for a short-lived, non-committal engagement with an idea, style, or pursuit.
- Playful romantic behaviour intended to signal interest without serious commitment.
- A figurative, brief experiment with or passing interest in an idea, activity, or identity.
"Their summer flirtation ended as quietly as it began, neither party any the worse for it."
"Her flirtation with the young lawyer was the talk of the dinner party."
"After a brief flirtation with vegetarianism, he returned happily to bacon."
Standard plural; commonly used when referring to multiple romantic episodes over time.
"The memoir catalogues the author's youthful flirtations with candour and regret."
'Flirtation' began life as a 16th-century verb of uncertain origin — some scholars suspect it was coined playfully on a whim, which suits a word devoted to whimsy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of flirtation
Flirtation derives from the verb 'flirt', first recorded in English in the sixteenth century. The verb's origin is uncertain: it originally denoted a sudden jerking or darting motion, and was later applied figuratively to people who 'threw' themselves playfully at others; some dictionaries suggest it may be imitative or of unknown derivation. The noun 'flirtation', formed from the verb, became established by the eighteenth century, and the word has been part of standard English on both sides of the Atlantic since.
Related word forms
How flirtation is actually used
The word carries a light, slightly playful register and rarely implies serious intent; in its figurative sense ('a flirtation with socialism') it is common in political and cultural journalism to describe temporary enthusiasms that are later abandoned.
Easily confused with flirtation
A flirtation is a light, playful exchange of romantic interest, whereas an infatuation is an intense, often obsessive passion or crush.