What does flaunt mean?
Flaunt is a verb meaning to display something conspicuously and ostentatiously, usually with the aim of attracting admiration, provoking envy, or signalling defiance. Someone might flaunt their wealth by driving an extravagant car, flaunt a new romance through public affection, or flaunt their figure in bold clothing. The word carries an unmistakably negative or at least disapproving connotation: to flaunt is not merely to show, but to show off shamelessly. It is most often used about possessions, achievements, bodies, or relationships, and it frequently appears in the fixed expression 'if you've got it, flaunt it'. A persistent pitfall for writers is confusing 'flaunt' with its near-twin 'flout', which means to treat a rule with open contempt. The word entered English in the early seventeenth century, though its precise origin remains debated among etymologists.
To display something ostentatiously, especially to provoke admiration or envy or to show defiance.
"The heiress flaunted her jewellery at every gala."
Transitive; often used with wealth, beauty, or success as the object.
A display of ostentation; the act or instance of flaunting.
"Her constant flaunt of designer labels grew tiresome."
Rare compared to the verb form.
"If you've got it, flaunt it" — this word literally embodies the art of showing off, and it's been tempting writers into typos with its twin 'flout' for centuries.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of flaunt
Flaunt first appears in English in the early seventeenth century, but its origin is uncertain. A widely cited theory links it to Scandinavian sources, comparing words such as Swedish 'flanta' (to scoff), while others have proposed connections to French 'faire volter' (to make prance) or to Middle English dialect terms. What is generally agreed is that it emerged around the same period as related showy verbs like 'vaunt' (to boast), with which it shares a rhyming family if perhaps no direct ancestry.
How flaunt is actually used
The verb carries a connotation of ostentation and often impropriety — what is flaunted is typically shown off shamelessly. Note that 'flaunt' is frequently and persistently confused with 'flout' in everyday writing; even careful writers mix them up.
Easily confused with flaunt
'Flaunt' means to show something off ostentatiously, while 'flout' means to openly disregard a rule or convention.