flam·boy·ant
flam-ˈbȯi-ənt 
1
: marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior
a flamboyant performer
2
often capitalized
: characterized by waving curves suggesting flames
flamboyant tracery
flamboyant architecture
flamboyantly
adverb
Did you know?
Flamboyant, which was borrowed into English from French in the 19th century, can be traced back to Old French flambe, meaning "flame." In its earliest uses flamboyant referred to a style of architecture, often in the florid French Gothic style, which featured waving curves that suggested flames. Eventually, the word developed a more general second sense for anything eye-catching or showy. And of course, Old French flambe is also the origin of the English adjective flambé.
Examples of flamboyant in a Sentence
Adjective
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
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
… 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
the flamboyant gestures of the conductor
has a gallery of flamboyant gestures that makes him easy to imitate
Stephen Schiff, New Yorker, 28 Dec. 1992–4 Jan. 1993
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
… 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
the flamboyant gestures of the conductor
has a gallery of flamboyant gestures that makes him easy to imitate
Recent Examples on the Web
Henry Wiencek
july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
Known for her flamboyant costumes and signature fruit hat, the scent’s essence is all about channelling the fantasy of a carefree, beachside summer.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Biver Carillon Tourbillon Signature Series Biver’s first flamboyant release from 2023 has just been revisited, imbued with the clean dial language of the more minimal Automatique, and is the second most expensive titanium watch released this year.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 14 July 2025
Sundowns’ yellow jersey and rich tradition of flamboyant play has earned them the nickname of ‘The Brazilians’ in South Africa.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flamboyant
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Adjective
As White surged through the office bellowing orders and pounding tables, his six-foot-tall figure seemed even more commanding with his flamboyant, spiky red hair.
—Henry Wiencek
july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
Known for her flamboyant costumes and signature fruit hat, the scent’s essence is all about channelling the fantasy of a carefree, beachside summer.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Biver Carillon Tourbillon Signature Series Biver’s first flamboyant release from 2023 has just been revisited, imbued with the clean dial language of the more minimal Automatique, and is the second most expensive titanium watch released this year.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 14 July 2025
Sundowns’ yellow jersey and rich tradition of flamboyant play has earned them the nickname of ‘The Brazilians’ in South Africa.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flamboyant
Cite this Entry
“Flamboyant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flamboyant. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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