Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Flirt With: Meaning, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：show romantic interest playfully (flirt with)

flirt with 🔊

/flɜːrt wɪð/

phr.v.

To playfully interact with someone in a romantic or friendly way, often showing interest.

Couple flirting playfully on a park bench with smiles

show romantic interest playfully 🔊

➕

/ʃoʊ rəˈmæntɪk ˈɪntrəst ˈpleɪfəli/

phr.v.

To interact with someone in a playful, teasing manner that suggests romantic or friendly attraction, often through smiles, comments, or gestures.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Flirt' from Old French 'fleureter' (to flit); 'with' indicates association. Combined suggests light, playful engagement.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a flower (flirt) gently brushing against someone (with) – light, playful, never lingering.

📖 Example

At the café, she smiled and flirted with the barista while ordering her coffee. 🔊 At the café, she smiled and flirted with the barista while ordering her coffee.

🔗 Collocations

flirt with a stranger – Playfully interact with someone unknown in a romantic way

flirt with a coworker – Show playful romantic interest toward a colleague

flirt with someone at a party – Engage in playful romantic interaction during a social event

🔄 Synonyms

chat up (phr.v.) – To talk to someone in a way that shows romantic or friendly interest

hit on (phr.v.) – To approach someone with obvious romantic or sexual intentions

make a pass at (phr.v.) – To make a romantic advance or gesture toward someone

🚫 Antonyms

ignore (v.) – To pay no attention to someone, showing no interest

reject (v.) – To refuse or decline someone's romantic advance

snub (v.) – To ignore or treat someone coldly, often intentionally

🌱 Derivatives

flirtation (n.) – Playful romantic behavior or interaction

flirtatious (adj.) – Tending to flirt or showing playful romantic interest

flirty (adj.) – Given to flirting; playfully romantic

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from Old French 'fleureter' (to move lightly like a flower), 'flirt' acquired romantic connotations in the 16th century. 'Flirt with' extended to ideas by the 20th century.

Meaning 2：lightly consider (flirt with)

flirt with 🔊

/flɜːrt wɪð/

phr.v.

To briefly think about or play with an idea without serious commitment.

lightly consider 🔊

➕

/ˈlaɪtli kənˈsɪdər/

phr.v.

To briefly think about or consider an idea, possibility, or plan without making a firm commitment or taking serious action.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I'm flirting with the idea of learning piano this summer, but I haven't signed up for classes yet. 🔊 I'm flirting with the idea of learning piano this summer, but I haven't signed up for classes yet.

🔗 Collocations

flirt with the idea of moving abroad – Briefly consider relocating to another country

flirt with danger – Take unnecessary risks or approach a hazardous situation lightly

flirt with bankruptcy – Risk financial ruin by making unwise decisions

🔄 Synonyms

toy with (phr.v.) – To consider something casually or without seriousness

entertain (v.) – To hold an idea in mind for consideration, often without commitment

consider (v.) – To think about something carefully, but not necessarily seriously

🚫 Antonyms

commit to (phr.v.) – To firmly decide or dedicate to a course of action

dismiss (v.) – To reject or put an idea out of mind

ignore (v.) – To pay no attention to an idea or possibility