'Flout' means to openly disregard or disobey a rule; 'flaunt' means to display something ostentatiously to impress others.
Verb. To openly disregard or disobey a law, rule, or convention. To show contemptuous disregard for rules.
The company was fined for openly flouting environmental regulations for over a decade.
She flouted convention by wearing jeans to the black-tie event.
Flouting safety protocols puts not only yourself but your entire team at risk.
Verb. To display something conspicuously in order to impress others. To show off, to parade.
He flaunted his new sports car by parking it prominently outside the office.
She never flaunted her wealth but lived quietly despite her considerable fortune.
The ad campaign flaunted the brand logo across every billboard in the city.
Common mistake
"She flaunted the rules" when meaning broke them openly (correct: flouted). This specific error — 'flaunt' for 'flout' — is so widespread that some style guides now acknowledge it, but formal writing still requires the distinction.
Trick to remember it
'Flout' rhymes with 'out' — you are outing yourself as a rule-breaker. 'Flaunt' rhymes with 'haunt' — you haunt people with your display, making them envious.
Quick rule
Is it to openly break or disregard a rule? 'Flout'. Is it to show off or display ostentatiously? 'Flaunt'.
Did you know?
The flaunt/flout confusion has been documented by linguists since the 1920s. The TV show Arrested Development (2003) played with 'flaunt' in its recurring joke: 'Her?' — contrasting ostentatious display with invisibility. 'Flout' likely comes from Dutch 'fluiten' (to play the flute, to whistle in contempt) — a scornful gesture. 'Flaunt' has unknown origins, possibly Scandinavian. Both entered English around the same time (1500s-1600s) through different routes, which may explain why they get mixed up.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The driver was caught on camera _____ ing speed limits in a school zone.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
He _____ ed his new design contract at every industry event that month.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it to openly break or disregard a rule? 'Flout'. Is it to show off or display ostentatiously? 'Flaunt'.
"She flaunted the rules" when meaning broke them openly (correct: flouted). This specific error — 'flaunt' for 'flout' — is so widespread that some style guides now acknowledge it, but formal writing still requires the distinction.
'Flout' rhymes with 'out' — you are outing yourself as a rule-breaker. 'Flaunt' rhymes with 'haunt' — you haunt people with your display, making them envious.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy