Flout vs. Flaunt: Defy or Show Off?

The Key Difference

• Flout = to openly disregard or defy rules, laws, or conventions
• Flaunt = to show off or display proudly

Using Flout

“Flout” means to treat rules with contempt:

• “He continually flouts the dress code.” ✓
• “The company was fined for flouting safety regulations.” ✓
• “She flouted convention by speaking her mind.” ✓
• “Drivers who flout the speed limit endanger others.” ✓

Using Flaunt

“Flaunt” means to display ostentatiously:

• “She likes to flaunt her wealth.” ✓
• “He flaunted his new car around town.” ✓
• “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.” ✓
• “They flaunted their success at every opportunity.” ✓

The Common Mix-Up

People often say “flaunt the rules” when they mean “flout the rules.” This is incorrect.

• “He flaunted the rules.” ✗ → “He flouted the rules.” ✓

You can’t “show off” rules—you can only disregard them.

Memory Trick

• Flout = think “flout out” (throw out the rules)
• Flaunt = think “haunt” (you haunt people by showing off)

Quick Test

Breaking rules? → flout Showing off? → flaunt