15 Flirty Moves Guaranteed to Get Him Hooked

Maybe you just spotted that cute guy across the room and want to land on his radar, or maybe you've been friends for a while and are ready to take things further. If you want to grab a man's interest, it's time to bring out your flirting toolkit.

Flirting isn't reserved for that electric, tension-filled "getting-to-know-you" stage, though; it matters just as much decades later, when you're gray-haired and sharing a porch swing with the same person. Even once you've locked down your guy and settled into your happily-ever-after, don't let the flirting stop. It's one of the easiest ways to keep a relationship playful and alive.

Relationships tend to hit trouble once things get dull, so keep that spark of pursuit alive even after you've already won him over.

And even if you'd call yourself a flirting pro, it never hurts to add new moves to your repertoire. From subtle to daring, try out these flirting tips for women and notice which ones land best.

Foundational Flirting Tips For Women

1. Switch things up

Everyone has their signature flirting moves, but repeating the same ones too often makes them lose their punch. Blend different techniques and surprise him with something he hasn't seen from you before. Before long, you'll figure out which of these approaches feel natural to you and which ones actually get a reaction out of him.

Trying something unfamiliar now and then keeps him guessing. Plus, you might stumble onto a new go-to move.

2. Loosen up and have fun with it

Flirting should feel enjoyable for both people involved. If you're straining to make it happen or your heart's not in it, it'll likely come across as stiff and uncomfortable. Feeling a little nervous is completely normal, and that fluttery, butterflies-in-your-stomach sensation can actually be enjoyable. So try to stay loose and let it happen naturally.

Understated Flirting Tips For Women

Whether your goal is meeting someone new or reeling in your current crush, sometimes the winning move is playing it cool. Instead of being overt, lean into being a little sneaky and playful. These low-key flirting tips will leave him wondering, "Could she be into me?" while secretly hoping the answer's yes. Great for building up sexual tension between the two of you — speaking of which, check out these tips on building sexual chemistry.

1. Dress the part

This one takes some planning ahead, but if you know a flirting opportunity is coming, start by putting your best foot forward, style-wise. A short dress or skirt that shows off your legs reads as feminine and playful. Slip on heels to make your legs pop even more. Draw his eye by crossing and uncrossing your bare legs. You'll find more tips on dressing sexy here.

2. Keep it lighthearted

It's no secret that most men gravitate toward women who are easygoing and fun rather than tense and serious. Laugh along with his jokes, roll with his antics, and go with the flow. Most guys are drawn to someone with a solid sense of humor, so crack your own jokes and give him a little teasing.

Don't be afraid to be a bit goofy sometimes — you'll find that a little silliness is often way more magnetic and enjoyable than being buttoned-up all the time.

3. Make him work for it

Flirting thrives on the thrill of pursuit. Giving in too readily kills the fun fast, so occasionally make him earn your attention. Most men want what feels just out of reach, so avoid being too readily available. And this isn't limited to what happens in bed.

Drop a hint that your time with him has limits by mentioning other plans or that you can't chat long. That alone might leave him wondering what he's missing. Just tread carefully — there's a thin line between playing hard to get and being outright dismissive.

4. Get close and whisper

In a packed room or lively social setting, lean in and murmur something in his ear instead of speaking at your normal volume. This move builds instant intimacy and shifts his focus away from the crowd and onto you alone. Keep your tone hushed and smooth — make him lean in a bit to catch what you're saying.

Extra credit if your lips brush his ear while you talk. Ears are packed with sensitive nerve endings, so even the faintest contact can send his thoughts somewhere far more intimate.

5. Nibble your lower lip

Pulling his focus toward your mouth might get him imagining what kissing you would feel like.

There's something undeniably alluring about a woman gently catching her bottom lip between her teeth; it can be nearly impossible for him to look away. Just don't overdo it — aim for sultry, not like you're anxiously gnawing on your lip, ha. This move works even better paired with a shiny, attention-grabbing red lip color.

For maximum effect, lock eyes with him, tuck your hair behind your ear, tug your lower lip between your teeth, and let out a slow, chest-rising sigh. Be honest — your heartbeat probably picked up just reading that. Now picture what it'll do to him.

6. Increase the touching

Look for small reasons to make physical contact. This isn't about clinging to him — just subtle ways to brush against him, lean in briefly, or graze past him. Even a fleeting touch can be enough to catch his attention and leave him wanting another one.

While chatting, say his name while resting a hand lightly on his arm, or set your hand on his knee while you laugh at something he said.

You could also try squeezing past him in a tight space, letting your body — including your chest — press against him briefly. On its own, this might not do much. But paired with other flirting moves, it can pack a real punch. Speaking of other tactics, you'll find more here.

7. Pay him a compliment

Everyone, men included, likes hearing something nice about themselves once in a while, so a genuine compliment ranks among the most reliable flirting tools out there.

Like most of these tips, don't overuse this one. Piling on too many compliments starts to feel clingy and hollow. Skip generic remarks; zero in on things that actually matter to him — a recent change, or something he's been putting effort into. For an advanced play, pair a compliment with physical contact.

Mention how much you love his fresh haircut while running your fingers through it. Or say something like, "Have you been hitting the gym? You're looking solid," while resting your hand on his bicep.

8. Let him notice you noticing him

Whether it's a total stranger or your longtime partner, most people feel a rush when they catch someone checking them out with obvious interest.

From across the room, catch his eye, hold that gaze for a beat, then flash a small wink and a little finger wave. Then glance away.

With any luck, he'll be left wondering who that gorgeous woman is, or remembering he'd rather be talking to you than whoever's currently in front of him. Just remember — this should read as flirty, not like an intense, unblinking stare-down, so don't spend the whole night with your eyes locked on him.

9. Keep your body language open

With any of these flirting tips, the goal is to seem lively, fun, and approachable — not guarded. Your posture should pull him in. Instead of folding your arms, let them hang loosely, hold a drink, or gesture as you talk.

Standing rigidly with your feet planted wide can look off-putting. Instead, shift your weight onto one leg or lean casually against a wall or surface. Then tilt your chin slightly and angle your head to one side.

Fearless Flirting Tips For Women

Once you've got his attention, the next step is holding onto it. A confident woman can only play it coy for so long, so at some point you'll need to put yourself out there and make a bold move. Some of these fearless flirting tips work best for reviving the spark in a long-term relationship, but plenty also apply at the start of something new. Either way, these moves are guaranteed to turn up the heat.

1. Fire off a racy text

This flirting tip runs entirely on anticipation.

It plants you firmly in his thoughts, dangling something he can't have right away. Whether you use words or a photo, this can range from mildly suggestive to fully explicit. Ease in with something like,

[quote]"Can't wait to see all of you tonight."[/quote]

Or go all in and describe exactly what you want him to do to you. For a visual approach, send a tasteful cleavage shot, or a glimpse of what you're wearing (or not). Just be prepared to deliver on whatever you promise in that text, because he will remember. Find more great ideas in this article on dirty text messages and this one on flirty text messages.

2. Grab his butt

Right now you're probably thinking, "Wait, seriously?"

Exactly.

Squeezing his butt is a totally unexpected move that'll throw him off guard. Try it on the dance floor or while weaving through a crowd. Or, if you've been together a while, try it in the grocery store aisle. Keep it playful by pinching and giggling, "Gotcha."

Or crank it up with a lingering grab while pressing against him and murmuring, "There's more of that coming later."

3. Kiss him out of nowhere

Sometimes the urge to grab him just hits. Don't hold back — kiss him passionately and unexpectedly whenever the mood strikes. Not only will you both love it, it shows him you're thinking about him. Pull him away for a quick makeout break while he's doing dishes, paying bills, or crossing a parking lot.

Then walk away without pushing things further. It'll leave him thinking about how irresistible you are and craving more. Find more great kissing tips in this video guide and this article too.

4. Take the initiative

So you spent the whole night hoping for a chance to meet him, and it just never happened.

Stop watching from a distance and go make it happen yourself.

Jot your name and number on a slip of paper. Walk over, make eye contact, and hand it to him. As you hold his hand between both of yours, tell him you're looking forward to talking more later.

Skip saying your name.

Give him a wink, turn, and walk off with a hair flip and a bit of sway in your step. Now you're an irresistible mystery he wants to figure out. If you're already in a long-term relationship, don't retire this move — use it to kick off some flirty role-play instead. More tips on roleplaying here.

Whether you just met him or you've built a life together, flirting is a fun, confident way to capture his attention. Early on, it makes you magnetic; later, it keeps the relationship from going stale. Just like you, most men crave being flirted with — it makes them feel wanted and attractive.

But it's not only about him. Flirting can be empowering for you, too. From playful to bold, it can bring out your inner vixen, and everyone deserves a little of that.

January 17, 2021