flirting

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flirt

Flirting is when someone shows interest in another person by being friendly and playful, but not necessarily looking for a serious relationship.

When people talk about flirting, they often mean that someone is sending out signals of attraction, like smiling at you from across the room or lightly touching your arm while chatting. They might also make casual comments or jokes to get to know you better. The goal is usually just to have fun and see if there's a spark between them, rather than making any big commitments. Some people even use flirting as a way to boost their confidence or feel more connected to others in social situations.

How common is "flirting"?

Word flirting is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To throw (something) with a jerk or sudden movement; to fling.
Example: They flirt water in each other's faces.
To jeer at; to mock.
To dart about; to move with quick, jerky motions.
To blurt out.
To play at courtship; to talk with teasing affection, to insinuate sexual attraction in a playful (especially conversational) way.
To experiment, or tentatively engage, with; to become involved in passing with.