flout

[flout]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock.

   to flout the rules of propriety.

verb (used without object)

1. to show disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff, mock, or gibe (often followed byat ).

noun

1. a disdainful, scornful, or contemptuous remark or act; insult; gibe.

flout

/ flaʊt /

verb

1. to show contempt (for); scoff or jeer (at)

Confusables Note

See flaunt.

Other Word Forms

• floutingly adverb
• flouter noun
• unflouted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flout¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English flouten “to play the flute” ( flute ); compare Dutch fluiten “to play the flute, talk smoothly, soothe, blandish, impose upon, jeer”

Word History and Origins

Origin of flout¹

C16: perhaps from Middle English flouten to play the flute, from Old French flauter compare Dutch fluiten ; see _flute

Example Sentences

“There is little doubt that commercial cardrooms are flouting the law by offering illegal games and operating outside the bounds of state regulations,” Siva said in his statement.

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The regulator can fine companies up to 10% of their annual worldwide turnover for flouting the legislation.

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But the coalition of environmental groups raised concerns that federal and state officials are flouting the normal procedures required when making new water rules.

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Benjamin Franklin’s 1773 “Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One” used irony to lampoon British policy, undermining authority while avoiding direct flouting of the era’s harsh sedition laws.

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Matthew Broderick’s namesake character realizes every teen’s fantasy of flouting authority and getting away with it – the essence of rich white kid privilege.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• defy 
• disregard 
• mock 
• repudiate 
• scorn 
• spurn