The Difference between Flaunt and Flout

In much informal writing, the word flaunt is often used to mean flout. Despite sounding similar, though, the two words have very different meanings.

To flaunt something means to display or celebrate it conspicuously or ostentatiously. To flout something means to refuse to honor it or to disparage it in some way. If you were to wear solid gold shoes to go grocery shopping, you would be flaunting your wealth. If you were to empty your entire trash can on the ground next to a police officer and a sign that says “No Littering,” you would be flouting the law. In fact, by flouting the law so openly and brazenly, you would also be flaunting your contempt for rules and authority.