Word

flourish

noun C1

/ˈflʌɹ.ɪʃ/

Meanings

noun

a stylish, attention-getting movement or extra detail added to make something more impressive

verb

to grow strongly and successfully; to develop well in favorable conditions

noun

an ornate decorative feature, especially a curving embellishment in handwriting or design

Definition

A flourish is a confident, decorative action or detail that adds style and draws attention.

A flourish is an extra, showy movement or feature that makes something look or sound more impressive. People often add a flourish when presenting something, performing, or finishing a task. It can also mean a decorative design detail, especially in writing, music, or visual art.

Examples

With a final flourish, I closed the presentation and handed the remote back to the host.
The new café began to flourish once it built a reputation for consistent service.
He signed the letter with a dramatic flourish and slid it into the envelope.
After the policy changes, they watched their volunteer program flourish across the region.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse flourish (grow successfully) with flower (produce flowers) and use the wrong verb for general success.