flaunt

[ flawnt ]
See synonyms for: flauntflauntingflaunter on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to parade or display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly.

  2. to wave conspicuously in the air.

verb (used with object)
  1. to parade or display ostentatiously: to flaunt one's wealth.

  2. to ignore or treat with disdain: He was expelled for flaunting military regulations.

noun
  1. the act of flaunting.

  2. Obsolete. something flaunted.

Origin of flaunt

1
First recorded in 1560–70; of obscure origin; compare Norwegian dialect flanta “to show off”

confusables 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 for flaunt

Other words from flaunt

  • flaunter, noun
  • flaunt·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·flaunt·ed, adjective
  • un·flaunt·ing, adjective
  • un·flaunt·ing·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with flaunt

  • flaunt , flout (see confusables note at the current entry)

Words Nearby flaunt

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use flaunt in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for flaunt

flaunt

/ (flɔːnt) /


verb
  1. to display (possessions, oneself, etc) ostentatiously; show off

  2. to wave or cause to wave freely; flutter

noun
  1. the act of flaunting

Origin of flaunt

1
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

Derived forms of flaunt

  • flaunter, noun
  • flauntingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012