Flaunt vs. Flout
“Flaunt” means to show something off conspicuously, often to attract admiration. “Flout” means deliberately disobey or disregard a rule, law, convention, or custom. The words are semantically different and also have distinct standard pronunciations.
Use “flaunt” when someone displays or shows something off. Use “flout” when someone deliberately breaks or disregards a rule, law, or convention.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning | Use | Typical object |
|---|---|---|
| show off / display | flaunt | wealth, success, appearance |
| disobey / disregard | flout | law, rule, convention |
A useful minimal pair is “flaunt wealth” versus “flout the law.”
Quick tests
Show-or-disobey test
Does the sentence mean display/show off, or deliberately disobey?
If yes: Display → flaunt. Disobey/disregard → flout.
If no: Check the object: laws/rules strongly point to flout.
Caveat: Do not use pronunciation alone; the semantic object is the strongest cue.
Examples
He likes to flaunt his expensive watch.
Flaunt means display/show off.
The company was accused of flouting the rules.
Flout means deliberately disregard a rule.
Further guidance
Common Confusion
The pair are spelling neighbors but not synonyms: you flaunt wealth; you flout rules.
Flaunt
Cambridge defines flaunt as making something one is proud of obvious so others notice or admire it.
Flout
Cambridge defines flout as intentionally not obeying a rule, law, or custom.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Flaunt — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Meaning and pronunciation for flaunt
- Flout — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Meaning and pronunciation for flout