# flirting

/ˈfɫɝtɪŋ/ (US) · /flˈɜːtɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flirting
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. the act of flirtation

noun · CEFR B2

the activity of talking or behaving in a way that shows romantic interest.

For teachers: the practice or instance of flirtatious behaviour; a social interaction characterized by romantic playfulness.

- A little bit of harmless flirting can make a social event more enjoyable.
- The harmless flirting that characterized their early friendship eventually deepened into a serious and committed relationship.

Usage: often functions as an uncountable noun describing the general activity

## Examples

- Their constant flirting makes everyone in the office smile.
- What started as harmless flirting at the party eventually led to a serious long-term relationship.
- Social psychologists often distinguish between playful flirting intended for entertainment and strategic flirting used to gauge a potential partner's romantic interest.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.