flaunt

verb

ˈflȯnt How to pronounce flaunt (audio)
ˈflänt
flaunted; flaunting; flaunts

intransitive verb

1
: to display or obtrude oneself to public notice
a great flaunting crowdCharles Dickens
2
: to wave or flutter showily
the flag flaunts in the breeze

transitive verb

1
: to display ostentatiously or impudently : parade
flaunting his superiority
a chance to flaunt clothes, bodies, and sexualityNew Yorker
2
: to treat contemptuously
flaunted the rulesLouis Untermeyer
flaunt noun
flauntingly adverb
flaunty
ˈflȯn--tē How to pronounce flaunt (audio)
ˈflän-
adjective
Flaunt vs. Flout: Usage Guide

Although the "treat contemptuously" sense of flaunt undoubtedly arose from confusion with flout, the contexts in which it appears cannot be called substandard.

meting out punishment to the occasional mavericks who operate rigged games, tolerate rowdyism, or otherwise flaunt the law Oscar Lewis
observed with horror the flaunting of their authority in the suburbs, where men … put up buildings that had no place at all in a Christian commonwealth Marchette Chute
in our profession … very rarely do we publicly chastise a colleague who has flaunted our most basic principles R. T. Blackburn, AAUP Bull.

If you use it, however, you should be aware that many people will consider it a mistake. Use of flout in the sense of "flaunt, parade" is found occasionally.

"The proper pronunciation," the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, "is pree feeks" Mike Royko

Choose the Right Synonym for flaunt

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention.

show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Examples of flaunt in a Sentence

She liked to flaunt her wealth by wearing furs and jewelry. They openly flaunted the rules.
Recent Examples on the Web Whereas newly ascendant warriors and merchants used the tea gathering to flaunt their wealth, wabi-style tea emphasized subtlety, frugality and restraint. Paul S. Atkins, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024 Emphasizing Personal Strengths Another popular strategy to appear desirable to others is flaunting one’s skills, talents, knowledge, strengths and achievements. Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Yet, to many young people, the king seems to almost flaunt his indifference. John Eligon Joao Silva, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024 After being spotted on February 10 in an outfit composed of basics and elevated with fuchsia socks and heeled sandals, Holmes continues to flaunt daring looks on the streets of New York City. Chloé Versabeau, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2024 Learn more › Imagine wielding a computing marvel that not only dazzles with its powerhouse performance but also flaunts an eco-friendly flair. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 2 Feb. 2024 And lights aren’t the only way fans are flaunting their enthusiasm. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2024 Aquarius season encourages you to flaunt your unconventional flair. USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024 All told 425,000 law firms in the U.S. pocketed $78 billion in profits last year, according to IBISWorld, flaunting a 20% average profit margin—slightly higher than a darling of private equity, software publishing. Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flaunt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flana to rush around

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flaunt was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near flaunt

Cite this Entry

“Flaunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flaunt. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

flaunt

verb
ˈflȯnt How to pronounce flaunt (audio)
ˈflänt
1
: to wave or flutter in a showy way
a flag flaunting in the breeze
2
: to make a big show of : parade
flaunting their knowledge

More from Merriam-Webster on flaunt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!