flaunt
Americanverb (used without object)
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to parade or display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly.
-
to wave conspicuously in the air.
verb (used with object)
noun
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the act of flaunting.
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Obsolete. something flaunted.
verb
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to display (possessions, oneself, etc) ostentatiously; show off
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to wave or cause to wave freely; flutter
noun
Usage
Flaunt is sometimes wrongly used where flout is meant: they must be prevented from flouting (not flaunting ) the law
Commonly Confused
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 Word Forms
- flaunter noun
- flauntingly adverb
- unflaunted adjective
- unflaunting adjective
- unflauntingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of flaunt
First recorded in 1560–70; of obscure origin; compare Norwegian dialect flanta “to show off”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The continuation of U.S. intelligence support may not be flaunted but it’s hardly hidden.
After spending much of the year racing to remake civilization, they packed a giant convention center and marveled at displays flaunting the latest AI research between bites of Auntie Anne’s pretzels.
Part hobo, part insult comic, part performance artist, Diogenes flaunted his disregard for convention in ways that scandalized the bourgeoisie of Athens and, later, Corinth, after his banishment from Sinope became permanent.
She often flaunted her wealth on Instagram, posting stacks of hundred-dollar bills and shopping bags from Louis Vuitton, Dior and Palm Angels.
From Los Angeles Times
According to the Bath & Body Works website, the Chips & Salsa candle flaunts notes of “bottomless tortilla chips and fresh salsa,” while the Pizza & Ranch candle touts a redolence of “gooey cheese, crispy pepperonis and ranch.”
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
