Flaunt vs flout
Flaunt means to show something off so everyone notices it. Flout means to openly ignore or show no respect for a rule or law.
flaunt verb
To show something off in a showy way so that people notice it.
- The new owners flaunt their money with a row of sports cars parked on the lawn.
- She flaunted her new diamond ring at the party.
flout verb
To openly ignore a rule, law or custom, showing no respect for it.
- Companies that flout safety regulations can face heavy fines.
- The drivers flouted the speed limit on the empty highway.
Watch out
- Flaunt is often used to mean flout, as in flaunting the rules. Many dictionaries and usage guides call this a mistake, so in careful writing, people flout rules and flaunt their wealth.Critics say the company is flouting the rules by running ads the regulator already banned.
Test yourself
He likes to blank his expensive watch at every meeting.
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flaunt. He is showing off the watch so people notice it.
Fans who blank the stadium rules may be asked to leave.
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flout. They are openly ignoring rules, which is flout.
Several restaurants continued to blank the health code.
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flout. Breaking a code with no respect for it is flout.
If you've got it, blank it.
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flaunt. This saying means show off what you have.