flamboyant

1 of 2

adjective

flam·​boy·​ant flam-ˈbȯi-ənt How to pronounce flamboyant (audio)
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

flamboyant

2 of 2

noun

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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
By 2023, the Golden Vines® had come to Paris, with Alain Ducasse preparing a sumptuous menu alongside highlights like Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux’s Echézeaux Grand Cru and, the world’s most expensive wine, Liber Pater, at the flamboyant Opéra Garnier. Liquid Icons, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025 There’s Intel and its line of Gaudi chips, named after famed architect Antoni Gaudi and his flamboyant style of building. John Werner, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Deadline can reveal a first clip of of the film in which Gloria is first introduced to Saxberger, who is immediately hooked but will come to learn that her flamboyant appearance and devil-may-care front hides a darker side and reality. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025 In flamboyant Leo, the love planet is bold and radiant, thriving on passion, adoration and the spotlight, whether through grand romantic gestures or creative self-expression. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flamboyant

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flamboyant was in 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Flamboyant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flamboyant. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

flamboyant

adjective
flam·​boy·​ant
flam-ˈbȯi-ənt
: tending to make a striking display : showy
flamboyantly adverb

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