flout

American  

[flout] / flaʊt /

verb (used with object)

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

   to flout the rules of propriety.

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verb (used without object)

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

noun

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

flout British  

/ flaʊt /

verb

1. to show contempt (for); scoff or jeer (at)

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Commonly Confused

See flaunt.

Other Word Forms

• flouter noun
• floutingly adverb
• unflouted adjective

Etymology

Origin of flout

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”

Example Sentences

She urged parents and children to help the government monitor compliance and report companies that flout the law.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

But NGOs say many agencies flout the rules, taking advantage of people desperate to work abroad.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

But never before have so many Iranians been willing to flout the Islamic Republic’s social rules at the same time, say residents and analysts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

“Those who perform civic service should expect to be held to a higher standard. This wasn’t a mistake. This was a concerted effort to flout the law to escape justice.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

“Why should decent-minded citizens like layabouts who pay nothing to the state and flout every planning regulation in the book?”

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

Related Words

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