flaunt

verb \ ˈflȯnt , ˈflänt \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of flaunt

intransitive verb

1 : to display or obtrude oneself to public notice

a great flaunting crowd
—Charles 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 sexuality
—New Yorker

2 : to treat contemptuously

flaunted the rules
—Louis Untermeyer

—

flaunt

noun

—

flauntingly

play \ˈflȯn-tiŋ-lē, ˈflän-\ adverb

—

flaunty

play \ˈflȯn--tē, ˈflän-\ adjective

See flaunt defined for English-language learners

See flaunt defined for kids

flaunt vs. flout

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

Examples of flaunt in a Sentence

She liked to flaunt her wealth by wearing furs and jewelry.
They openly flaunted the rules.

Recent Examples of flaunt from the Web

Predictably, the Kardashian/Jenners took many many snaps of themselves and their theme-flaunting outfits.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "The Best Celebrity Instagrams From Inside the Met Gala," 8 May 2018
Lonelyhearts flaunt their credit ratings in online-dating profiles.

— The Economist, "Pocket bankingMobile financial services are cornering the market," 3 May 2018
In Jim Crow America, Johnson was one of the most despised African-American of his generation, humiliating white fighters and flaunting his affection for white women.

— NBC News, "Who was Jack Johnson, the boxer Trump is considering pardoning?," 21 Apr. 2018
In Jim Crow America, Johnson was one of the most despised African-American of his generation, humiliating white fighters and flaunting his affection for white women.

— jill colvin, The Seattle Times, "Trump considering pardon for late boxer Jack Johnson," 21 Apr. 2018
Rappers flaunt bad-guy lifestyles; the head of the FBI works to bring down the drug empires that rappers glorify.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "This Photo of Former FBI Director James Comey, Ghostface and Method Man Is Really Weird," 18 Apr. 2018
The side that flaunts a fluffy Afro and statement jewelry or rocks long, cascading box braids with reckless abandon.

— alisha acquaye, Teen Vogue, "What Coachella and Music Festivals Are Like as a Woman of Color," 16 Apr. 2018
February 4, 2018 To celebrate the birth of her niece, Stormi Webster (Kylie Jenner's baby), Khloé shared an intimate pic of her and Kylie flaunting their bumps together.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Evolution of Khloé Kardashian's Baby Bump," 9 Apr. 2018
But by framing itself as another milquetoast social app designed for flaunting idyllic vacations and family reunions, the ad completely ignores what makes Snapchat appealing in the first place.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Snapchat is making a bid for your parents, missing the entire point of Snapchat," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flaunt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of flaunt

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1566

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

flaunt Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

FLAUNT Defined for English Language Learners

flaunt

verb

Definition of flaunt for English Language Learners

: to show (something) in a very open way so that other people will notice
: to show a lack of respect for (something, such as a rule)

FLAUNT Defined for Kids

flaunt

verb \ ˈflȯnt \

Definition of flaunt for Students

flaunted; flaunting

1 : to wave or flutter in a showy way

The flag flaunts in the breeze.

2 : to show in a way that attracts attention

They like to flaunt their money.

Learn More about flaunt

See words that rhyme with flaunt Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flaunt Spanish Central: Translation of flaunt Nglish: Translation of flaunt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flaunt for Arabic speakers

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flaunt

Definition of flaunt

flaunt

flauntingly

flaunty

flaunt vs. flout

Examples of flaunt in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flaunt from the Web

Origin and Etymology of flaunt

flaunt Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of flaunt

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FLAUNT Defined for English Language Learners

flaunt

Definition of flaunt for English Language Learners

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flaunt

Definition of flaunt for Students

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