# flourish

/ˈfɫɝɪʃ/ (US) · /flˈʌɹɪʃ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to grow or thrive

verb · CEFR B2

to grow, develop, or be very successful.

For teachers: to grow vigorously or thrive in a favourable environment; often used for plants, businesses, or artistic movements.

- The small business began to flourish after they started selling their products online.
- Wildflowers flourish in the valley during the spring, covering the entire landscape in a vibrant carpet of purple and gold.

### 5. a musical fanfare

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a short, exciting piece of music played by trumpets.

For teachers: a short, lively musical passage or fanfare, typically played to announce the arrival of someone important.

- A flourish of trumpets announced the arrival of the queen.
- The ceremony opened with a brass flourish that echoed through the cathedral, silencing the gathered crowd.

## Examples

- He signed his name with a fancy flourish at the end.
- The architect added a decorative flourish to the top of the columns to match the building's classical style.
- The pianist concluded the concerto with a dramatic flourish of notes that left the audience in stunned silence before the applause began.

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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.