I. ˈflərt verb
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1580
intransitive verb
1. : to move erratically : flit
2.
a. : to behave amorously without serious intent
b. : to show superficial or casual interest or liking
flirt ed with the idea
also : experiment
a novelist flirt ing with poetry
3. : to come close to reaching or experiencing something — used with with
flirt ing with disaster
the temperature flirt ed with 100°
transitive verb
1. : flick
2. : to move in a jerky manner
Synonyms: see trifle
• flir·ta·tion ˌflər-ˈtā-shən noun
• flirt·er noun
• flirty ˈflər-tē adjective
II. noun
Date: circa 1590
1. : an act or instance of flirting
2. : a person who flirts