flaunt
[ flawnt ]
/ flɔnt /
verb (used without object)
to parade or display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly.
to wave conspicuously in the air.
verb (used with object)
to parade or display ostentatiously: to flaunt one's wealth.
to ignore or treat with disdain: He was expelled for flaunting military regulations.
noun
the act of flaunting.
Obsolete.
something flaunted.
Origin of flaunt
1560–70; of obscure origin; compare Norwegian dialect
flanta to show off
usage note for flaunt
4. The use of
flaunt to mean “to ignore or treat with disdain” (
He flaunts community standards with his behavior ) is strongly objected to by many usage guides, which insist that only
flout can properly express this meaning. From its earliest appearance in English in the 16th century,
flaunt has had the meanings “to display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly” in public and “to parade or display ostentatiously.” These senses approach those of
flout, which dates from about the same period: “to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock.” A sentence like
Once secure in his new social position, he was able to flaunt his lower-class origins can thus be ambiguous in current English. Considering the similarity in pronunciation of the two words, it is not surprising that
flaunt has assumed the meanings of
flout and that this use has appeared in the speech and edited writing of even well-educated, literate persons. Nevertheless, many regard the senses of
flaunt and
flout as entirely unrelated and concerned speakers and writers still continue to keep them separate.
OTHER WORDS FROM flaunt
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH flaunt
flaunt flout (see usage note at the current entry)Words nearby flaunt
Example sentences from the Web for flaunt
British Dictionary definitions for flaunt
flaunt
/ (flɔːnt) /
verb
to display (possessions, oneself, etc) ostentatiously; show off
to wave or cause to wave freely; flutter
noun
the act of flaunting
Derived forms of flaunt
flaunter, noun flauntingly, adverbWord Origin for flaunt
C16: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian dialect
flanta to wander about
usage for flaunt
Flaunt is sometimes wrongly used where
flout is meant:
they must be prevented from flouting (not
flaunting)
the law