flirtation
flirtation — noun
1. casual behaviour in which a person shows romantic or sexual attention to someone
casual behaviour in which a person shows romantic or sexual attention to someone in a playful way, without intending to develop a serious relationship
Hari's light flirtation with his colleague at the office party made everyone smile.
collocation: light flirtation with [person]
A playful flirtation between Charlotte and Lakan soon turned into a genuine friendship.
The novel describes a brief flirtation between two strangers on a train crossing the Alps.
Talia wanted no serious romance — only a flirtation to pass the evening.
- serious relationship
involves genuine commitment, the opposite of superficial flirtation
文法句型
flirtation with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly paired with adjectives such as light, harmless, playful, or brief to show the casual nature of the interaction. Unlike flirting (the action), flirtation can also refer to the whole situation or period of such behaviour.
常見錯誤
2. a short period during which someone is temporarily interested in or involved wit
a short period during which someone is temporarily interested in or involved with an activity, idea, or subject, without making a deep or lasting commitment
Élise had a brief flirtation with oil painting after retiring, covering her garage in half-finished canvases.
collocation: flirtation with [activity]
The senator's flirtation with radical policies lost her the support of moderate voters.
Noor's flirtation with minimalist living lasted three months before she filled her house with plants.
In graduate school, Dario had a short flirtation with post-modern philosophy he now calls a phase.
- dabbling
more informal and suggests very light, unserious involvement
- brief encounter
more general; can apply to people or experiences, not exclusively interests
- passing interest
emphasises the shortness of the involvement rather than the casual nature
- deep commitment
implies dedication and seriousness over a long period
- lifelong passion
sustained and serious engagement, the opposite of a brief flirtation
文法句型
flirtation with + noun phrase (activity/subject/idea)
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'with' plus an activity or idea (flirtation with photography, flirtation with socialism). Unlike sense 1, this sense has no romantic meaning — the metaphor is about casual, non-committal dabbling.