EnglishMain Dictionary
flourish
Universal Words
verb, noun
verb
1 [V] to develop quickly and be successful or common
SYNTHRIVE:
Few businesses are flourishing in the present economic climate. * The arts began to flourish at that time. * There was a flourishing black market.
2 [V] to grow well; to be healthy and happy
SYNTHRIVE:
These plants flourish in a damp climate. * (especially BrE) I'm glad to hear you're all flourishing.
3 [VN] (written) to wave sth around in a way that makes people look at it:
He rushed into the room flourishing the newspaper.
noun
1 [usuallysing.] an exaggerated movement that you make when you want sb to notice you:
He opened the door for her with a flourish.
2 [usuallysing.] an impressive act or way of doing sth:
The season ended with a flourish for Owen, when he scored in the final minute of the match.
3 details and decoration that are used in speech or writing:
a speech full of rhetorical flourishes * His writing is plain and direct, with no stylistic flourishes.
4 a curved line, that is used as decoration, especially in writing:
Her signature was a complicated affair of practised flourishes.
5 [usuallysing.] a loud short piece of music, that is usually played to announce an important person or event:
a flourish of trumpets
