v.
Pronunciation: ' flo ̇ nt, ' flänt
Function: verb
Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flana to rush around
Date: 1566
intransitive verb
1 : to display or obtrude oneself to public notice <a great flaunt ing crowd ― Charles Dickens>
2 : to wave or flutter showily <the flag flaunt s in the breeze>
transitive verb
1 : to display ostentatiously or impudently : PARADE < flaunt ing his superiority>
2 : to treat contemptuously < flaunt ed the rules ― Louis Untermeyer>
synonyms see SHOW
– flaunt noun
– flaunt · ing · ly \ ' flo ̇ n-ti ŋ -l ē , ' flän- \ adverb
– flaunty \ -t ē \ adjective
usage Although transitive sense 2 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 1 is found occasionally < “ The proper pronunciation, ” the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, “ is pree feeks ” ― Mike Royko>.