Synonyms of flirt

flirt 1 of 4

noun (1)

as in wanton

a person who playfully shows another amorous attention

he's just a harmless flirt, so don't take him seriously

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wanton
• flirter
• vamp
• coquette
• coquet
• soubrette
• jade

flirt

2 of 4

verb (1)

ˈflərt 

1

as in to tease

to show a sexual attraction for someone just for fun

the servers at that restaurant flirt with all the customers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tease
• toy
• fool
• trifle
• coquet
• woo
• kid
• vamp
• rib
• court
• frivol
• mash
• mess around
• manipulate
• razz
• dally
• play (with)
• lead on
• put on
• string along
• josh

2

as in to flit

to make an irregular series of quick, sudden movements

lazily watched the butterflies flirting among the wildflowers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flit
• dart
• flutter
• dance
• flick
• fly
• scurry
• flicker
• zip
• wander
• flitter
• sail
• speed
• scuttle
• roam
• sprint
• scamper
• skip
• zoom
• zing
• shoot
• dash
• skitter
• meander
• ramble
• scud

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hang
• float
• hover

flirt (with)

3 of 4

verb (2)

as in to woo

to act so as to make (something) more likely

you're flirting with death by driving so recklessly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• woo
• invite
• fish (for)
• ask (for)
• look for
• seek
• court
• angle (for)
• search
• hunt
• tempt
• provoke

flirtation

4 of 4

noun (2)

as in flirtatiousness

the attitude or behavior of one who insincerely courts the amorous attentions of others

somehow got the bizarre notion that flirtation was appropriate during a job interview

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flirtatiousness
• coquetry
• coyness
• coquettishness
• play
• dalliance
• kittenishness

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flirt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of flirt are coquet, dally, toy, and trifle. While all these words mean "to deal with or act toward without serious purpose," flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object.

flirted with one fashionable ism after another

When is coquet a more appropriate choice than flirt?

In some situations, the words coquet and flirt are roughly equivalent. However, coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention.

companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations

When could dally be used to replace flirt?

The synonyms dally and flirt are sometimes interchangeable, but dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement.

dallying with the idea of building a boat someday

When might toy be a better fit than flirt?

Although the words toy and flirt have much in common, toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers.

a political novice toying with great issues

In what contexts can trifle take the place of flirt?

The meanings of trifle and flirt largely overlap; however, trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt.

to trifle with a lover's feelings

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flirt

Noun

Casey Wasserman flirt-emailed with Jeffrey Epstein’s co-conspirator, Ghislaine Maxwell, in 2003. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

The protagonist of A Love Story is a lover boy, a libertine, a gossip, a flirt. —The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025

Verb

The writing and the acting boldly flirt with cliche and caricature, which, as the show is about 100% pastiche, drawn from films more than three-quarters of a century old, could scarcely be avoided and isn’t really a problem. —Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026

In all their years sharing the screen, Benson and Stabler have never gone beyond flirting with the idea of a romantic relationship. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 25 May 2026

Noun

It’s inspired by a feeling of flirtation and anticipation, like lingering eye contact with a crush. —Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Today, however, is a pleasant day, bringing you many opportunities to socialize and explore romantic flirtations. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 25 May 2026

Phrases Containing flirt

• flirt (with)