flourish

Formsflourishes, flourishing, flourished

Pluralflourishes

1. 1
   verbintransitive

   To grow well and stay strong and healthy.

   Like a plant that grows tall and green when it gets enough water and light.

   Tomato plants flourish in the warm summer sun.

   Her garden flourished after weeks of steady rain.

   Similarthrive, prosper, bloom, blossom, burgeon

   Oppositewither, languish, decline

   Note
2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To do well and become successful.

   Like a store that gets busier and busier as more people come to buy.

   Small shops flourish when the whole town supports them.

   Their business flourished after they moved downtown.

   Similarprosper, thrive, succeed, boom

   Oppositestruggle, decline, languish

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To wave something around with big, bold movements.

   Like waving a flag back and forth so everyone can see it.

   The knight flourished his sword above his head.

   She likes to flourish her scarf when she dances.

   Similarwave, brandish, swing

4. 4
   nouncountable

   A big, showy movement, like waving a flag or your hand.

   Like a big wave of the hand that says 'look at me!'

   He greeted the crowd with a flourish of his hat.

   The dancer ended the routine with a grand flourish of her arms.

   Similargesture, wave, sweep

   Note
5. 5
   nouncountable

   An added decoration that makes something look fancier.

   Like a little bow tied on a gift to make it look nicer.

   The cake had a flourish of icing piped along the top.

   He added a small flourish to the corner of the page.

   Similarembellishment, curlicue, ornament, decoration, swirl

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To help something grow well and get bigger.

   Like adding water and sunlight to make a plant grow big and strong.

   Good soil and sun can flourish a garden quickly.

   The new owners flourished the little cafe into a busy spot.

   Similarfoster, nurture, boost

   Note
7. 7
   verbintransitive

   To be at the most successful or important time of one's life or work.

   The painter flourished in the years just after the war.

   Most pop groups flourish for only a few years, and then new bands take their place at the top.

   Similarthrive

   Oppositewane, decline

8. 8
   verbintransitive

   To move in a big, showy way to get attention.

   Like waving your arms wide to show off when everyone is watching.

   The dancers flourish across the stage in bright costumes.

   He flourished about the room, showing off his new coat.

   Similarwave

   Note
9. 9
   verbtransitive

   To decorate something with fancy designs or words.

   Like adding stickers and glitter to make a card look special.

   The artist flourished the page with gold leaf and trailing vines.

   Writers sometimes flourish a plain story with colorful details.

   Similaradorn, embellish, decorate, ornament

   Note
10. 10
    nouncountable

    A short, grand piece of music, like a fanfare.

    Like the cheerful blast of horns when something important begins.

    The king entered to a loud flourish of trumpets.

    A bright flourish announced the start of the show.

    Similarfanfare

    Note

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