flourish
/ˈflʌɹ.ɪʃ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.53 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament, parade, bravado, etc.; to play with fantastic and irregular motion.
Intransitive verb
verb
To use florid language; to indulge in rhetorical figures and lofty expressions.
Intransitive verb
verb
To make ornamental strokes with the pen; to write graceful, decorative figures.
Intransitive verb
Example Sentences
- "The barley flourished in the warm weather."
- "'Twas early June, the new grass was flourishing everywheres, the posies in the yard—peonies and such—in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the water of the bay was blue, with light green streaks where the shoal showed."
- "The town flourished with the coming of the railway."
- "The cooperation flourished as the customers rushed in the business."
- "Bad men as frequently prosper and flourish, and that by the means of their wickedness."
- "One hall called Civil Law Hall or School, flouriſhed about this time (though in its buildings decayed) by the care of the learned and judicious Dr. Will. Warham Principal or Moderator thereof […]"
Etymology
From Middle English floryschen, from Old French florir (via the arrhizotonic stem floriss-), from Late Latin flōrīre, from Latin flōrēre, from Latin flōrem (“flower”, noun). Corresponds to flower + -ish.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈflʌɹ.ɪʃ/
- British English: /ˈflʌɹ.ɪʃ/