Flamboyant Meaning
/flamˈbɔɪ.ənt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjShowy, bold or audacious in behaviour, appearance, style, etc.; ostentatious.
adjReferring to the final stage of French Gothic architecture from the 14th to the 16th centuries.
Sentence Examples
She wears flamboyant clothes to draw attention.
He likes flamboyant clothes.
I don't think I have a flamboyant personality.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her incredibly bright and over-the-top outfits made her a truly ____ dresser at the party.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The actor is known for his ____ costumes and energetic performances on the Broadway stage.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French flamboyant (“flaming, wavy”), participle of flamboyer (“to flame”), from Old French flamboier, from flambe (“flame”). The architectural style derives its name from the flame-like shapes in the tracery.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"When we see some of the monstrous and flamboyant blossoms that enrich the equatorial woods, we do not feel that they are conflagrations of nature; silent explosions of her frightful energy. We simply find it hard to believe that they are not wax flowers grown under a glass case."
— 1902, G. K. Chesterton, “The Optimism of Byron”, in Twelve Types:
"The unbelievers will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase."
— 1962 May 12, Douglas MacArthur, Duty, honor, country:
"Health of flamboyant media tycoon who led three Italian governments had deteriorated in recent years[.]"
— 2023 June 12, Angela Giuffrida, Lorenzo Tondo, “Silvio Berlusconi, scandal-ridden former Italian prime minister, dies aged 86”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"S. Pierre is a flamboyant church, the details passing into Renaissance."
— 1891, Sabine Baring-Gould, chapter XIX, in In Troubadour-Land: A Ramble in Provence and Languedoc, Avignon:
"The second is a chapel of two storeys, the lower dating from 1150, while the upper was rebuilt in the 15th century, and there is a rich Flamboyant entrance with a stairway (1533)."
— 1911, “Bruges”, in Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her incredibly bright and over-the-top outfits made her a truly ____ dresser at the party.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The actor is known for his ____ costumes and energetic performances on the Broadway stage.