How to Sign "Flirt"

To sign 'flirt', bring both hands in front of your chest with your palms facing down. Extend your thumbs so they touch each other, and keep your other fingers spread apart and pointing forward. Wiggle your fingers up and down a few times, resembling fluttering eyelashes.

Examples Using "Flirt" in a Sentence

1

He likes to flirt with everyone.

Point to the person, sign 'like', and then sign 'flirt' while sweeping your hands slightly to indicate 'everyone'.

2

Are you flirting with me?

Point to the person, sign 'flirt' while moving the fluttering hands slightly toward your own body, and raise your eyebrows for a yes/no question.

3

Stop flirting and get to work!

Sign 'stop', then 'flirt', followed by a firm sign for 'work', maintaining a serious facial expression to show you mean business.

How to Sign "Flirt"
To sign 'flirt', bring both hands in front of your chest with your palms facing down. Extend your thumbs so they touch each other, and keep your other fingers spread apart and pointing forward. Wiggle your fingers up and down a few times, resembling fluttering eyelashes.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The visual motivation for this sign is highly iconic. The fluttering fingers pointing forward are widely thought to represent the playful fluttering of eyelashes, a classic body language cue associated with flirting.
Signing Tips
Keep your thumbs anchored together to maintain the correct hand position while your fingers do all the work. Remember that facial expression is key; adding a playful or cheeky smile makes the sign look much more natural and matches the meaning of the word.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving the entire hands or arms up and down instead of just wiggling the fingers. Another frequent error is pointing the palms forward rather than keeping them facing down toward the floor.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Flirt" in a Sentence
1

He likes to flirt with everyone.

Point to the person, sign 'like', and then sign 'flirt' while sweeping your hands slightly to indicate 'everyone'.

2

Are you flirting with me?

Point to the person, sign 'flirt' while moving the fluttering hands slightly toward your own body, and raise your eyebrows for a yes/no question.

3

Stop flirting and get to work!

Sign 'stop', then 'flirt', followed by a firm sign for 'work', maintaining a serious facial expression to show you mean business.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'flirt' a directional sign?

Yes! You can change the direction of the sign to show who is flirting with whom. If someone is flirting with you, move the fluttering hands slightly toward your body. If you are flirting with them, move the hands toward that person.

Do my thumbs have to touch perfectly?

While the thumbs are typically touching to help anchor the hands together, it is perfectly fine if they are just very close to each other. The most important part is the fluttering motion of the fingers.

Can I use this sign to describe a flirtatious person?

Absolutely. You can use this sign to describe someone's personality. To emphasize that someone is very flirtatious, you might exaggerate the fluttering motion and pair it with a knowing facial expression.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!