flamboyant

¹flam·boy·ant

adjective \flam-ˈbȯi-ənt\

Definition of FLAMBOYANT

1

often capitalized : characterized by waving curves suggesting flames <flamboyant tracery> <flamboyant architecture>

2

: marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior <a flamboyant performer>

— flam·boy·ant·ly adverb

Examples of FLAMBOYANT

1. the flamboyant gestures of the conductor
2. <has a gallery of flamboyant gestures that makes him easy to imitate>
3. Crazy artists, or flamboyant ones, can be strangely comforting. We feel we understand where their visions come from; we're lulled by the symmetry of turbulent art and turbulent lives. —Stephen Schiff, New Yorker, 28 Dec. 1992–4 Jan. 1993
4. Equally flamboyant is the group's singer, Andy Bell, who prances around the stage dressed at various times like an astronaut, a space creature or a Mexican senorita. —Jim Farber, Video Review, August 1990
5. … he was living in the flamboyant, urbane manner he craved, in an apartment that suited his Balzacian fantasies of success … —Raymond Sokolov, Wayward Reporter, 1980

Origin of FLAMBOYANT

French, from present participle of flamboyer to flame, from Old French, from flambe

First Known Use: 1832

Related to FLAMBOYANT

Synonyms

arresting, bodacious, bold, brilliant, catchy, commanding, conspicuous, dramatic, emphatic, eye-catching, noticeable, grabby, kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish], marked, noisy, prominent, pronounced, remarkable, showy, splashy, striking

Antonyms

inconspicuous, unemphatic, unflamboyant, unnoticeable, unobtrusive, unremarkable, unshowy

Related Words

detectable, discernible (also discernable), observable, perceptible, recognizable, visible; outstanding, salient; distinguished, eminent, impressive, notable, noteworthy; highlighted, spotlighted; flagrant, glaring, howling, screaming; flashy, garish, gaudy, glitzy, jazzy, loud, meretricious, swank (or swanky), tawdry; highfalutin (also hifalutin), ostentatious, pretentious; extravagant, fancy, florid, glittery, spectacular; opulent, ornate, overdone, overwrought; absorbing, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating, interesting, riveting

Near Antonyms

subtle; concealed, hidden, shrouded; dim, faint, obscure; insignificant, undistinguished, unimportant; modest, unaffected, unassuming, unpretentious; conservative, plain, quiet, simple, understated; muted, restrained, subdued, subtle, toned-down, unflashy

²flam·boy·ant

noun \flam-ˈbȯi-ənt\

Definition of FLAMBOYANT

: royal poinciana

Origin of FLAMBOYANT

(see ¹flamboyant)

First Known Use: 1879

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with FLAMBOYANT

chatoyant, clairvoyant