Flaunt vs. Flout

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Understanding the difference between commonly confused words will help you avoid making errors in English usage. Let’s examine the difference between the following:

These words are often confused, partly because they sound similar, and also because they both carry a connotation of defiance and of doing something conspicuously or brazenly.

flaunt

Flaunt means to show off something ostentatiously or boastfully, especially to provoke envy or show defiance.

Charles flaunted his wealth by arriving at the family reunion picnic in his new Ferrari.

If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
This peacock is showing off (flaunting) his feathers.

flout

Flout means to show contempt, scorn, or disdain for a rule or convention by openly disregarding or willfully defying it.

Patricia constantly flouted her father’s rules by staying out past her curfew.
Someone has obviously flouted the rules by breaking into this park.

☛ To help you remember that flaunt means showing off, connect it to other words that start with fla– like flashy and flamboyant. And remember that if you flout the rules, you may be out of a job or be thrown out of the house.

Photo credits:

Photo 1: Image by Tracy Lundgren from Pixabay

Photo 2: Image by MoneyforCoffee from Pixabay