Flaunt vs Flout: Show Off vs Break Rules

Introduction

Flaunt and flout are two verbs that sound somewhat similar and are frequently mixed up, but their meanings are quite different. Flaunt means to display something ostentatiously—to show off. Flout means to openly disregard or defy a rule, law, or convention. Using one when you mean the other is a surprisingly common error that appears in newspapers, broadcasts, and published writing.

The most common mistake is using flaunt when flout is needed: "She flaunted the rules" should be "She flouted the rules" (unless she was somehow displaying the rules proudly, which is rarely the intended meaning). This dictionary.wiki guide will help you distinguish these words clearly.

What Does Flaunt Mean?

Flaunt is a verb meaning to display something ostentatiously or proudly, often to provoke admiration or envy. It implies showing off in a conspicuous, sometimes boastful way.

Definitions

1. To show off proudly: "She flaunted her diamond engagement ring at the party."
2. To display ostentatiously: "He flaunted his wealth by driving a different luxury car each week."
3. To parade or exhibit conspicuously: "The peacock flaunted its colorful feathers."

Etymology

The origin of flaunt is uncertain, but it appeared in English in the mid-sixteenth century, possibly from Scandinavian roots. Some scholars connect it to Norwegian dialectal flanta ("to gad about"). The word has always carried connotations of conspicuous, showy display.

Common Collocations

• Flaunt one's wealth / flaunt one's success
• Flaunt one's body / flaunt one's looks
• Flaunt one's knowledge / flaunt one's connections
• "If you've got it, flaunt it" (popular expression)

What Does Flout Mean?

Flout is a verb meaning to openly disregard, defy, or show contempt for a rule, law, convention, or authority. It implies deliberate, conspicuous defiance.

Definitions

1. To openly disregard: "The company flouted environmental regulations for years."
2. To defy contemptuously: "He flouted the dress code by wearing jeans to the formal event."
3. To treat with contempt: "She flouted tradition by refusing to follow the established protocol."

Etymology

Flout likely comes from Middle English flouten ("to play the flute"), which evolved the sense of mocking or jeering at someone. By the sixteenth century, it had developed its modern meaning of treating rules or authority with contempt.

Common Collocations

• Flout the rules / flout the law
• Flout regulations / flout conventions
• Flout authority / flout tradition
• Flout a ban / flout restrictions

Comparison Table

Examples in Sentences

Flaunt (Show Off)

• "He flaunted his new sports car around the neighborhood."
• "She never flaunts her academic achievements."
• "The celebrity flaunted designer clothes on the red carpet."
• "Don't flaunt your privilege in front of people who are struggling."
• "The flowers flaunt their bright colors in the spring sunshine."

Flout (Defy Rules)

• "Several companies flouted the new safety regulations."
• "He openly flouted the school's no-phone policy."
• "The regime flouted international law with impunity."
• "Cyclists who flout traffic rules endanger themselves and others."
• "She flouted convention by pursuing a career in a male-dominated field."

Why Are They Confused?

Several factors contribute to the flaunt/flout confusion:

1. Similar sound: Both start with "fl" and have one syllable, making them easy to mix up in speech and memory.
2. Overlapping connotation of defiance: Both words involve a degree of boldness. Flaunting is bold display; flouting is bold defiance. The bold, attention-seeking quality is shared.
3. The phrase "flaunt the rules": Because flaunting often implies a brazen, rule-breaking attitude, people write "flaunt the rules" when they mean "flout the rules." The person showing off seems like a rule-breaker, blurring the semantic line.
4. Widespread misuse: The error is so common that some dictionaries now note "flaunt" as an informal variant of "flout," though style guides unanimously discourage this usage.

Common Mistakes

The Main Mistake: "Flaunt the Rules"

Incorrect: "The company flaunted safety regulations."
Correct: "The company flouted safety regulations."

Regulations are broken/defied, not shown off. This is the most common error with this pair. For more commonly confused words, see affect vs effect.

Reverse Mistake (Rare): "Flout One's Wealth"

Incorrect: "He flouted his wealth at every opportunity."
Correct: "He flaunted his wealth at every opportunity."

Wealth is displayed/shown off, not broken or defied.

Memory Tricks

Flaunt = Flash / Flout = Foul

Flaunt sounds like "flash" — you flash your possessions, showing them off. Flout sounds like "flout" which rhymes with "out" — you're out of compliance, breaking the rules.

The Object Test

What follows the verb? If it's something you have (wealth, beauty, success), you flaunt it. If it's something you break (rules, laws, conventions), you flout it.

The "AU" = "Show" Trick

Flaunt has "au" — think of an audience. You flaunt things for an audience to see. Flout has "ou" — think of "outlaw." You flout rules like an outlaw.

Summary

Flaunt means to show off something proudly (flaunt your talent, flaunt your wealth). Flout means to openly break or disregard rules (flout the law, flout convention). The key distinction: you flaunt what you have; you flout what you should follow. Never write "flaunt the rules" when you mean "flout the rules."

For more word guides, visit dictionary.wiki and check out lay vs lie and who vs whom.