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

• flouter noun
• floutingly adverb
• 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

Retaining the header is a lawyerly attempt to keep his word while flouting it in spirit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Those who perform civic service should expect to be held to a higher standard. This wasn’t a mistake. This was a concerted effort to flout the law to escape justice.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But prosecutors said safety regulations had been flouted in the nightclub.

Read more on Barron's

Epping Forest District Council sought to block migrants lodging at The Bell Hotel in Epping by arguing its owner had flouted planning rules.

Read more on BBC

The political right often—usually with justification—accuses liberals of distorting its take on immigration by conflating people who come here lawfully with those who flout the rules.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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