flout

[ flout ]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff at; mock:

   to flout the rules of propriety.

verb (used without object)

1. to show disdain, scorn, or contempt; scoff, mock, or gibe (often followed by at ).

noun

1. a disdainful, scornful, or contemptuous remark or act; insult; gibe.

flout

/ flaʊt /

verb

1. whenintr, usually foll by at to show contempt (for); scoff or jeer (at)

Usage

See flaunt

Confusables Note

See flaunt.

Derived Forms

• ˈfloutingly, adverb
• ˈflouter, noun

Other Words From

• flouter noun
• flouting·ly adverb
• un·flouted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flout¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English flouten “to play the flute” ( flute ); compare Dutch fluiten “to play the flute, talk smoothly, soothe, blandish, impose upon, jeer”

Word History and Origins

Origin of flout¹

C16: perhaps from Middle English flouten to play the flute, from Old French flauter compare Dutch fluiten ; see flute

Example Sentences

However, operators often flout safety rules and overcrowd them beyond capacity.

From BBC

But whatever the process chosen, anti-abortion laws were regularly flouted, broken on average a million times a year.

From Los Angeles Times

Baritone David Stout is happy to flout the old rule about not working with children and animals.

From BBC

The 62-year-old musician — full name Troyal Garth Brooks — also accused the woman’s lawyers of flouting the authority of a judge in the related case he filed under a pseudonym in Mississippi federal court last month.

From Los Angeles Times

Reacting to today's figures, the prime minister's spokesman said rules around migrant sponsorship would be toughened "to ensure employers guilty of flouting employment laws are banned from hiring from abroad".

From BBC

Related Words

• defy
• disregard
• mock
• repudiate
• scorn
• spurn