nonflamboyant

Nonflamboyant is an adjective used to describe people, styles, or approaches that eschew showiness or ostentation. In everyday usage, something described as nonflamboyant tends to be simple, restrained, and unobtrusive, avoiding dramatic flair or excessive ornament.

Etymology: The word is formed by the prefix non- combined with flamboyant, from French flamboyant meaning “flaming” and ultimately from Latin flamma. In English, flamboyant has broader senses including theatrical, colorful, or ornate; nonflamboyant simply marks the negation.

In fashion, nonflamboyant attire favors clean lines, neutral or muted colors, and minimal ornament. In architecture and interior design, it denotes functional, restrained forms rather than elaborate ornamentation. In personal behavior, a nonflamboyant individual tends toward calm, measured, and private conduct, preferring substance over spectacle.

Usage notes: The term can carry evaluative judgment depending on context; it can be praise for practicality or criticism for lack of flair. Related terms include understated, minimalist, and restrained.