Flirtation
/flɜːrˈteɪ.ʃən/noun
A playful or romantic interaction or behavior between people.
Did you know?The word "flirt" may originate from the French word 'fleureter', meaning to 'sway like a flower', hinting at a seductive, almost enchanting quality in the act itself.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
flirten
“to flutter or to fly about playfully.”
16th Century
Old French
fleureter
“to caress or to flirt in a flower-like manner.”
16th Century
Latin
florem
“flower, bloom; symbolizing beauty and allure.”
18th Century
English
flirtation
“the act of flirting, often with a connotation of light-heartedness and teasing.”