peacocking
Flashy attention seeking
Peacocking is showing off to attract attention, especially romantic interest—like a peacock displaying its tail feathers.
The term often describes ostentatious dress or behavior meant to stand out: He was peacocking around the bar in a velvet jacket and gold chains.
The word gained currency through pickup artist culture but applies to any conspicuous self-display.
Bird's complete feather coat
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- iridescenceColor shift from interference
- showinessOstentatious display quality
- spectacleVisually striking event
colorful · ornamentation · vibrancy · brilliance · spreading · fanning · posturing · parading
Excessive admiration of oneself
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- self-admirationExcessive regard for oneself
- conceitExaggerated self-admiration
- arroganceExcessive self-importance
self-importance · smugness · vainglory · showing-off · attention-seeking · self-absorbed · pompous · swagger
Showy, often tastelessly so
- designerOne who plans appearances
- accessoriesSupplementary items or adornments
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- boldCourageous and daring
eye-catching · loud · dandy · bling · ostentatious · flamboyant · garish · extravagant
Reproductive pairing behavior
- attractionPull toward something
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- flirtingPlayfully showing romantic interest
- displayingPresenting to view
signals · showing-off · impressing · posturing · leks
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- iridescenceColor shift from interference
- showinessOstentatious display quality
spectacle · colorful · ornamentation · vibrancy · brilliance · spreading · fanning · posturing · parading · exhibiting
narcissism
Excessive admiration of oneself
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- self-admirationExcessive regard for oneself
- conceitExaggerated self-admiration
arrogance · self-importance · smugness · vainglory · showing-off · attention-seeking · self-absorbed · pompous · swagger · bravado
flashy
Showy, often tastelessly so
- designerOne who plans appearances
- accessoriesSupplementary items or adornments
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
bold · eye-catching · loud · dandy · bling · ostentatious · flamboyant · garish · extravagant · showy
mating
Reproductive pairing behavior
- attractionPull toward something
- seductionEnticing someone romantically
- flirtingPlayfully showing romantic interest
displaying · signals · showing-off · impressing · posturing · leks
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
- self-promotionbragging, boasting, self-praise, humble brag, plugging
- showing offboasting, bragged, show off, bragging, boasted
- showboatingshowing off, bragging, boasting, grandstanding, posturing
- swaggerswagger, strut, cockiness, showing off, boasting
- vanityconceit, narcissism, ego, self-admiration, self-love
peacockingshrinking
Decreasing in dimension
wallflowering · hiding · keeping a low profile · withdrawing · blending in
peacockingmodesty
Absence of vanity
understatement · subtlety · plainness · simplicity · dressing down
peacockinghumility
Freedom from arrogance
self-effacement · meekness · diffidence · bashfulness · timidity