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flirt

Etymology and origin of the English word flirt

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /flɜːt/ (UK); /flɚt/ (US)[1]

Etymology

Its origin is unknown.[2][3] It is probably an expressive word, like flick, flip and flap,[4][5] and East Frisian flirt “a light blow” and flirtje “a giddy girl” have been compared.[6][5] Etymonline also suggests influence from flit.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

As a verb, to turn up one's nose at, to sneer (1553);[6][5][7] as a noun, a joke, jest or gibe (1549).[6][7]

Semantic evolution

In the 16th century the verb also meant to rap or flick with the fingers, to throw with a jerk, and to dart about.[6][5][7] The noun was used for a flighty or pert young woman from 1562.[7][5] The sense of a person who plays at courtship is recorded before 1732,[6][5][7] and the verb meaning to play at courtship from 1777;[6][5] it probably developed from the noun,[5] and the 17th-century practice of flirting a fan, snapping it open or shut, may have contributed.[5]

Timeline

  • 1549 – noun, a jest or gibe.[6][7]
  • 1553 – verb, to sneer at.[6][7]
  • 1562 – noun, a giddy young woman.[7]
  • 1563–87 – verb, to rap or flick.[6][7]
  • 1583 – verb, to dart; to throw with a jerk.[7]
  • before 1732 – noun, one who plays at courtship.[6][7]
  • 1777 – verb, to play at courtship.[6][5]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To behave in a playfully romantic or sexual way without serious intent.
  2. To show a passing, casual interest in something; to toy with an idea.
  3. To come close to something, as in flirting with disaster.
  4. To move with jerks; to dart about.
  5. To toss or flick suddenly, as a fan.

Noun

  1. A person given to flirting.
  2. An act of flirting.
  3. A sudden jerk or quick throw.

Word family

  • flirtation
  • flirter
  • flirty
  • flirtingly
  • flirtable
  • flirtatious
  • flit
  • flip
  • flick
  • coquette

Usage notes

The American Heritage Dictionary groups flirt with dally, play, toy and trifle, all meaning to deal lightly or casually with someone or something.[2] Random House lists coquette and tease as synonyms of the noun.[4]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Flirt.” Etymologically, 11 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/flirt. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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