flam·boy·ant
flam-ˈbȯi-ənt 
1
: marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior
a flamboyant performer
2
often capitalized
: characterized by waving curves suggesting flames
flamboyant tracery
flamboyant architecture
flamboyantly
adverb
Did you know?
Flamboyant, which was borrowed into English from French in the 19th century, can be traced back to Old French flambe, meaning "flame." In its earliest uses flamboyant referred to a style of architecture, often in the florid French Gothic style, which featured waving curves that suggested flames. Eventually, the word developed a more general second sense for anything eye-catching or showy. And of course, Old French flambe is also the origin of the English adjective flambé.
Synonyms
Examples of flamboyant in a Sentence
Adjective
Crazy artists, or flamboyant ones, can be strangely comforting. We feel we understand where their visions come from; we're lulled by the symmetry of turbulent art and turbulent lives.
—
Stephen Schiff, New Yorker, 28 Dec. 1992–4 Jan. 1993
Equally flamboyant is the group's singer, Andy Bell, who prances around the stage dressed at various times like an astronaut, a space creature or a Mexican senorita.
—Jim Farber, Video Review, August 1990
… he was living in the flamboyant, urbane manner he craved, in an apartment that suited his Balzacian fantasies of success …
—Raymond Sokolov, Wayward Reporter, 1980
the flamboyant gestures of the conductor
has a gallery of flamboyant gestures that makes him easy to imitate
Stephen Schiff, New Yorker, 28 Dec. 1992–4 Jan. 1993
Equally flamboyant is the group's singer, Andy Bell, who prances around the stage dressed at various times like an astronaut, a space creature or a Mexican senorita.
—Jim Farber, Video Review, August 1990
… he was living in the flamboyant, urbane manner he craved, in an apartment that suited his Balzacian fantasies of success …
—Raymond Sokolov, Wayward Reporter, 1980
the flamboyant gestures of the conductor
has a gallery of flamboyant gestures that makes him easy to imitate
Recent Examples on the Web
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Dec. 2024
As Macrinus, Washington gives a flamboyant, Machiavellian performance.
—Fred Topel, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
Men will love these Grand Prix driving gloves ($143) in three-color leather, inspired by the flamboyant colors of classic motor racing teams.
—Paula Conway, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Although the statement did not elaborate further, media outlets including the AP speculated that the ban might be a consequence of the movie’s general flamboyant aesthetics and tone, even though Barbie doesn’t explicitly mention LGBTQ+ people.
—James Factora, Them, 4 Dec. 2024
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Adjective
Foxx’s ability to inhabit various characters—from the flamboyant Wanda to the suave boxer Willie Beamen in Any Given Sunday—established him as a versatile entertainer capable of moving seamlessly between comedy and drama.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 Dec. 2024
As Macrinus, Washington gives a flamboyant, Machiavellian performance.
—Fred Topel, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
Men will love these Grand Prix driving gloves ($143) in three-color leather, inspired by the flamboyant colors of classic motor racing teams.
—Paula Conway, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Although the statement did not elaborate further, media outlets including the AP speculated that the ban might be a consequence of the movie’s general flamboyant aesthetics and tone, even though Barbie doesn’t explicitly mention LGBTQ+ people.
—James Factora, Them, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flamboyant
Dictionary Entries Near flamboyant
Cite this Entry
“Flamboyant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flamboyant. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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