(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If something ~es, it is successful, active, or common, and developing quickly and strongly.
Business ~ed and within six months they were earning 18,000 roubles a day...
= thrive
? flounder
VERB: V
~ing
London quickly became a ~ing port.
ADJ
2.
If a plant or animal ~es, it grows well or is healthy because the conditions are right for it.
The plant ~es particularly well in slightly harsher climes.
= thrive
VERB: V
~ing
Britain has the largest and most ~ing fox population in Europe.
ADJ
3.
If you ~ an object, you wave it about in a way that makes people notice it.
He ~ed the glass to emphasize the point.
VERB: V n
•
Flourish is also a noun.
He took his peaked cap from under his arm with a ~ and pulled it low over his eyes.
N-COUNT
4.
If you do something with a ~, you do in a showy way so that people notice it.
N-COUNT