Flamboyant Meaning

The word flamboyant describes something or someone that is very showy, confident, and attracts attention. It can refer to a person's behavior or appearance, or to a lavish and eye-catching style. 

For a person

A flamboyant person is often:

• Showy and confident: They behave in a noticeably exuberant or audacious way.
• Stylish and exciting: They are conspicuously dashing or colorful.
• Theatrical: They use grand gestures or expressive mannerisms to draw an audience. 

Examples:

• A performer who wears bright costumes, glitter, and makes a dramatic entrance.
• The conductor of an orchestra who makes flamboyant gestures to guide the musicians. 

For a style or object

Something flamboyant is characterized by being:

• Elaborate and ornate: It is excessively decorated with intricate and intricate details.
• Boldly or brilliantly colored: It uses bright, noticeable, and often lavish color combinations. 

Examples:

• A royal parade with flamboyant pageantry.
• French Gothic architecture from the 15th and 16th centuries, which is known for its "flame-like" window tracery and elaborate carving. 

Connotations: Positive or negative?

The meaning of "flamboyant" can vary depending on the context.

• Positive: It can be used to admire someone's bold, individual style and confident personality.
• Neutral: When describing an object like a sunset, it simply means "brilliantly colored" without a value judgment.
• Negative: The word can also suggest that something is unnecessarily over-the-top or ostentatious. It has also historically been used as a derogatory stereotype toward gay men. 

Etymology

The term originates from the Old French word flambe, meaning "flame." It first appeared in the 19th century to describe the "flame-like" curves of late Gothic architecture before being applied to other things that are flashy or eye-catching.