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.
'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.1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC, page 1:
2
To prosper or fare well.
The town flourished with the coming of the railway.
The cooperation flourished as the customers rushed in the business.
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Bad men as frequently prosper and flourish, and that by the means of their wickedness.1795, Robert Nelson, A Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of the Church of England:
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 […]1792, Anthony à Wood, The History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford: In Two Books, volume 1, Oxford: John Gutch, →OCLC, page 661:
Kobbie Mainoo, so often overlooked by Amorim, flourished alongside Casemiro in midfield as United controlled the game.2026 January 17, Simon Stone, Shamoon Hafez, “Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City”, in BBC:
3
To be in a period of greatest influence.
His writing flourished before the war.
4
To develop; to make thrive; to expand.
But all that I ſhall ſay in this vvhole Argument, vvill be but like Bottomes of Thred, cloſe vvound vp, vvhich vvith a good Needle (perhaps) may be flouriſhed into large VVorkes.a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a Warre with Spaine. […]”, in William Rawley, editor, Certaine Miscellany Works of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount S. Alban. […], London: […] I. Hauiland for Humphrey Robinson, […], published 1629, →OCLC, page 4:
5
To make bold, sweeping movements with.
They flourished the banner as they stormed the palace.
The squirrel flourished its fluffy tail about as an alarm signal after its narrow escape from the cat.
6
To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament, parade, bravado, etc.; to play with fantastic and irregular motion.
Impetuous spread the stream, and smoking flourished o'er his head.1728, [Alexander Pope], “(please specify the page)”, in The Dunciad. An Heroic Poem. […], Dublin; London: […] A. Dodd, →OCLC:
7
To use florid language; to indulge in rhetorical figures and lofty expressions.
They dilate […] and flourish long upon little incidents.1725, Isaac Watts, Logick: Or, The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry after Truth, […], 2nd edition, London: […] John Clark and Richard Hett, […], Emanuel Matthews, […], and Richard Ford, […], published 1726, →OCLC:
8
To make ornamental strokes with the pen; to write graceful, decorative figures.
9
To adorn with beautiful figures or rhetoric; to ornament with anything showy; to embellish.
With shadowy verdure flourish'd high, A sudden youth the groves enjoy.1716, Elijah Fenton, an ode to John Gower:
To bring you thus together, 'tis no sin, Sith that the justice of your title to him Doth flourish the deceit.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
10
To execute an irregular or fanciful strain of music, by way of ornament or prelude.
Why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus?c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii]:
To be known to have been alive at a particular time or in a particular period, where one's birth and death dates are not known; to have been active during a specified period; floruit.
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.
1
A dramatic gesture such as the waving of a flag.
With many flourishes of the captured banner, they marched down the avenue.
This is my substitute for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his sword; I quietly take to the ship.1851 November 14, Herman Melville, chapter 1, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 1:
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Gabriel Jesus' solo goal - as a stunned United pushed for an equaliser - was a flourish that eased any late nerves.2023 September 3, Phil McNulty, “Declan Rice: The game-changing midfielder Arsenal need for title challenge”, in BBC Sport:
2
An ornamentation.
His signature ended with a flourish.
[B]revity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes[.]c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
3
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music A ceremonious passage such as a fanfare.
The trumpets blew a flourish as they entered the church.
[I]f he is a soldier in command, successes will be amplified, and the results of his campaigns announced with a flourish of trumpets.1872, Publius Cornelius Tacitus, Percival Frost, The Annals of Tacitus with a Commentary by the Rev. Percival Frost, M.A, London: Whittaker & Co.; George Bell, Life of Tacitus:
4
Architecture A decorative embellishment on a building.