flirty

Etymology

It is formed from English flirt + -y,^[2][3] either from the noun or from the verb flirt, according to the OED, or from the verb, according to Etymonline.^[2][3] The OED takes flirt itself as an expressive formation, comparing other words with the same initial cluster, such as flap, fling and flick;^[2] Etymonline thinks it perhaps imitative, or from or influenced by flit.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Inclined to flirtation; flirtatious: 1753, in S. Smythies's The Stage-Coach, according to the OED's revision of 2023.^[2] The 1989 edition of the OED and Etymonline gave 1840.^[4][3]

Semantic evolution

The adjective followed the courting sense of flirt: the noun "a person who plays at courtship" is recorded from 1732, and the verb "to play at courtship" from 1777.^[3] The OED describes flirty as used especially of speech and behaviour that suggest a playful romantic or sexual attraction.^[2] Merriam-Webster Unabridged also uses it for things, such as clothing, that suggest flirting.^[5] In south Lancashire dialect flirty meant pert or wanton.^[6]

Timeline

• 1753 – inclined to or characterized by flirtation.^[2] The 1989 edition of the OED and Etymonline date it to 1840.^[4][3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Given to flirting; flirtatious: a flirty waiter.^[5][2][1]
2. Of speech, behaviour or clothing: suggesting playful romantic or sexual interest: a flirty wink, a flirty summer dress.^[2][5]

Related words

• flirt
• flirtation
• flirtatious

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)