Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for flout on Thesaurus.com to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock: to flout the rules of propriety. Show More
verb (used without object) to show disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff, mock, or gibe (often followed by at ). Show More
a disdainful, scornful, or contemptuous remark or act; insult; gibe. Show More
Origin of flout 1350–1400; Middle English flouten to play the
flute ; compare
Dutch fluiten to play the flute, jeer
Related forms flout·er , noun flout·ing·ly , adverb un·flout·ed , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for flout spurn ,
repudiate ,
defy ,
scorn ,
disregard ,
mock ,
gibe ,
quip ,
slight ,
taunt ,
jeer ,
ridicule ,
scoff ,
insult ,
outrage ,
gird ,
deride ,
sneer ,
affront Examples from the Web for flout Contemporary Examples of flout It was a big story—indicating that Israel was continuing to flout international law to prevent Hezbollah from getting weapons.
Republicans could flout their own resentments and true believers.
He chose the country and let Alice flout contemporary morals, carousing and smoking in public.
Historical Examples of flout Beneath the car of this Juggernaut we must flout our judgments and crush our affections.
I know not what the world is coming to, when young maids may flout their elders.
Niagara, however, might flout them if it pleased; they could do without Niagara.
Bessie did not pout or flout when neither Levi nor her father appeared to receive her.
The Gentiles, who are neither proud nor intellectual, spit upon him and flout him.
British Dictionary definitions for flout (when intr, usually foll by at ) to show contempt (for); scoff or jeer (at) Show More
Derived Forms flouter , noun floutingly , adverb Word Origin for flout C16: perhaps from Middle English flouten to play the flute, from Old French flauter compare Dutch fluiten ; see flute
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
Word Origin and History for flout v. 1550s, perhaps a special use of Middle English flowten "to play the flute" (cf. Middle Dutch fluyten "to play the flute," also "to jeer"). Related: Flouted ; flouting .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
