flamboyant

USAGE SUMMARY

'flamboyant' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or a thing that is brightly colored, vivid, and ostentatious. For example: "The dancer wore a flamboyant costume of purple, green, and orange."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its flamboyant facade divides opinion (it looks like an enormous present wrapped in gold Christmas paper) but the view over the city from the rooftop is fabulous.

The Guardian - Travel

Yanis Varoufakis, the flamboyant Greek finance minister, wrote to Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the Dutch finance minister and head of the eurogroup, and laid out seven proposed reforms of the Greek economy before Monday's meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels.

The Guardian

And when you get home it will be a while before you forget the casual whoop of the tree frogs at nightfall or the magnificent flamboyant trees with their thick, confident branches and shocking red-feather tops.

The Guardian - Travel

The caffeteria has huge glass windows overlooking a lush garden, the high ceiling hanging with flamboyant chandeliers.

The Guardian - Travel

It's often supposed that a fashion designer is extravagant, flamboyant and extrovert.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He began campaigning, in flamboyant style, in the February 1974 general election when he stood as the People party candidate at Eye, Suffolk.

The Guardian

Also on the north bank of the Brisbane river, once-seedy Caxton Street, near Paddington, is a new social hub, now home to the flamboyant Gambaro hotel and to Lefty's Oldtime Music Hall, which has live bands, 100 rye whiskies, and was named Gourmet Traveller's "best Australian bar 2014".

The Guardian - Travel

· Calle Jardines, 6. Open 1pm – 4pm, 8pm – late, closed Mondays A miniscule and effortlessly cheerful bar in the centre of town, just off Via Colon, the tapas here are small but quite literally flamboyant.

The Guardian - Travel

Tokyo or even Shenzhen (one of China's newest and most flamboyant cities, where at least 50% of the population live in hyper-dense urban villages) are cases in point.

The Guardian

The 32-year-old has said he wants to celebrate the flamboyant, camp, gay Mercury rather than replace him, but he definitely has the Freddie factor.

The Guardian - Music

First, their Shaking The Habitual show is introduced by a flamboyant exercise instructor getting the crowd to do a bizarre warm-up for the gig: "All the guys, I want your balls to bounce – are your balls bouncing?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flamboyant" when you want to describe something that is strikingly bold and attracts attention, whether it's a person's style, a design, or an event. Ensure the context aligns with the intended positive or neutral connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "flamboyant" in highly formal or professional writing where a more restrained and objective tone is expected. Opt for words like "distinctive" or "striking" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "flamboyant" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something or someone that is strikingly bold, showy, and likely to attract attention. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Travel

12%

Music

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flamboyant" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that is strikingly bold and attention-grabbing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is considered grammatically correct and usable in English. While it's most frequently found in news and media, as well as travel writing, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse in highly formal or professional settings where a more restrained tone is preferred. When used appropriately, "flamboyant" effectively emphasizes the distinctive and often exaggerated nature of the subject being described. Alternatives like "ostentatious", "extravagant", or "showy" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showy

Simple and direct, emphasizing the visual aspect of display.

extravagant

Focuses on lavishness and excess in spending or style.

ostentatious

Implies a vulgar display intended to impress others.

flashy

Suggests a superficial and attention-grabbing display.

theatrical

Suggests a dramatic and exaggerated presentation.

exuberant

Highlights the enthusiastic and unrestrained nature.

colorful

Focuses on the richness and variety of colors.

vibrant

Emphasizes the energetic and lively quality of something.

ornate

Highlights the elaborate and detailed nature of decoration.

bold

Emphasizes the daring and unconventional aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "flamboyant" in a sentence?

You can use "flamboyant" to describe something that is strikingly bold and noticeable. For instance, "The artist's style was characterized by "flamboyant" colors and dramatic brushstrokes."

What are some words similar to "flamboyant"?

Similar words include "ostentatious", "extravagant", and "showy", each with slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "flamboyant" in academic writing?

While "flamboyant" isn't inherently inappropriate, its use depends on the context. In most academic writing, it's better to use more neutral and precise terms. However, it might be suitable when analyzing artistic or cultural expressions where such characteristics are relevant.

What's the difference between "flamboyant" and "ostentatious"?

"Flamboyant" generally describes something that is strikingly bold and noticeable, while "ostentatious" implies a vulgar display intended to impress others. "Flamboyant" can be neutral or positive, whereas "ostentatious" is usually negative.