flaunt

verb

ˈflȯnt 

ˈflänt

flaunted; flaunting; flaunts

intransitive verb

1

: to display or obtrude oneself to public notice

a great flaunting crowd

—Charles Dickens

2

: to wave or flutter showily

the flag flaunts in the breeze

transitive verb

1

: to display ostentatiously or impudently : parade

flaunting his superiority

a chance to flaunt clothes, bodies, and sexuality

—New Yorker

2

: to treat contemptuously

flaunted the rules

—Louis Untermeyer

flaunt noun

flauntingly

ˈflȯn-tiŋ-lē 

ˈflän-

adverb

flaunty

ˈflȯn--tē 

ˈflän-

adjective

Flaunt vs. Flout: Usage Guide

Although the "treat contemptuously" sense of flaunt undoubtedly arose from confusion with flout, the contexts in which it appears cannot be called substandard.

meting out punishment to the occasional mavericks who operate rigged games, tolerate rowdyism, or otherwise flaunt the law

—Oscar Lewis

observed with horror the flaunting of their authority in the suburbs, where men … put up buildings that had no place at all in a Christian commonwealth

—Marchette Chute

in our profession … very rarely do we publicly chastise a colleague who has flaunted our most basic principles

—R. T. Blackburn, AAUP Bull.

If you use it, however, you should be aware that many people will consider it a mistake. Use of flout in the sense of "flaunt, parade" is found occasionally.

"The proper pronunciation," the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, "is pree feeks"

—Mike Royko

Synonyms

• display
• disport
• exhibit
• expose
• flash
• lay out
• parade
• produce
• show
• show off
• sport
• strut
• unveil

Choose the Right Synonym for flaunt

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention.

show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Examples of flaunt in a Sentence

She liked to flaunt her wealth by wearing furs and jewelry.

They openly flaunted the rules.

Recent Examples on the Web

This pair of Sport Crew Socks feels smooth and breathable and looks polished enough to flaunt them in an outfit that showcases your calves (yes!). —Annie Blackman, Allure, 7 Oct. 2024

His practice of flaunting a 50-year-old law and denying access to people who might be the children and grandchildren of employees who built his fortune is nothing short of outrageous. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024

The singer stepped out in November at the American Music Awards wearing barely any makeup, and most recently, posed on the cover of Paper Magazine flaunting her freckles. —Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 26 Sep. 2024

Other highlights include a living area flaunting a cocktail bar with a 150-bottle wine refrigerator, a formal dining room topped by a swanky chandelier, and a kitchen sporting an eat-in island and stainless appliances. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flana to rush around

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing flaunt

• if you've got it, flaunt it

Kids Definition

flaunt

verb

ˈflȯnt 

ˈflänt

1

: to wave or flutter in a showy way

a flag flaunting in the breeze

2

: to make a big show of : parade

flaunting their knowledge