flørt

Flørt is a term used in Norwegian Bokmål and Danish to describe the act of flirting or a person who flirts. It can function as both a noun and a verb in its languages: as a noun meaning a flirtation or a flirt, and as a verb meaning to flirt (å flørte). A related noun in some contexts is flørting. The concept denotes deliberate, playful communication aimed at signaling romantic or sexual interest without explicit commitment.

Flirting behavior typically includes a mix of verbal and nonverbal signals. Common examples are light humor, compliments, teasing, sustained eye contact, open body language, smiling, and occasional light physical contact, all adapted to the setting and the level of mutual interest. Flirting is usually time-limited and can be mutual or initiated by one person. It serves as a social tactic in dating and social interactions, but it can become inappropriate if the advances are unwelcome or violate boundaries.

Cultural norms surrounding flirting vary. In many social contexts, flirting is a common and accepted way to explore potential attraction; in others, it is more restrained. Respect for boundaries and explicit or implicit consent is emphasized, and signals of disinterest should be respected. In workplaces or formal settings, flirting is often discouraged to maintain professional boundaries.

Etymology is not definitively settled; the term is widely understood to have been borrowed into Scandinavian languages from other European languages, with attestations in the 19th or 20th centuries.