“Flaunt” and “flout” are frequently swapped — and the mix-up isn’t harmless, since using the wrong one can flip the meaning of a sentence entirely.
The Short Answer
Flaunt means to show off something proudly, often ostentatiously. Flout means to openly disregard a rule, law, or convention.
Examples of “Flaunt”
- She loves to flaunt her new car.
- He flaunted his wealth at every opportunity.
- If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
- They flaunted their success on social media.
Examples of “Flout”
- The company was fined for flouting safety regulations.
- He openly flouted the dress code.
- Drivers who flout traffic laws risk serious penalties.
- She flouted convention by wearing sneakers to the gala.
A Simple Memory Trick
“Flaunt” rhymes with “vaunt” (to boast) — both are about showing off. “Flout” rhymes with “shout” (a defiant, loud act) — a reminder that it’s about openly defying rules. If the sentence is about showing off, use “flaunt.” If it’s about breaking a rule, use “flout.”
Why the Confusion Matters
Because the words sound close and both suggest a kind of public, attention-drawing behavior, writers sometimes use “flaunt” when they mean “flout” — as in mistakenly saying someone “flaunted the law” when they mean the person broke it defiantly. The mix-up changes the sentence from “showed off” to “defied,” which can meaningfully alter the meaning in formal or legal writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which word means “to show off”?
A: “Flaunt” means to display something proudly, often to draw attention or admiration.
Which word means “to break a rule openly”?
A: “Flout” means to openly disregard or defy a rule, law, or convention.
Is “flaunt the law” ever correct?
A: No — the correct phrase is “flout the law,” since it refers to defying a rule, not showing something off.
