marivauder

Senses

1. 1.

   to engage in flirtation or coquetry

   to flirt playfully or engage in lighthearted romantic banter

2. 2.

   to waste time on trifles

   to squander time on trivial or frivolous matters

Examples

• "Ils passaient des heures à marivauder sous les arbres du jardin."

  They would spend hours flirting beneath the garden trees.

• "Elle aime marivauder avec les mots, jouant sur les doubles sens."

  She enjoys playing with language, toying with double meanings.

• "Ne marivaudons pas-allons droit au but."

  Let's not beat around the bush-let's get straight to the point.

Usage

From the 18th-century playwright Marivaux, whose comedies featured witty banter and flirtation. The verb is literary or somewhat formal, evoking an air of sophistication or playfulness. It can carry a mildly pejorative tone when suggesting time-wasting.