Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense flaunts, present participle flaunting, past tense, past participle flaunted
1. verb
If you say that someone flaunts their possessions, abilities, or qualities, you mean that they display them in a very obvious way, especially in order to try to obtain other people's admiration.
[disapproval]
They drove around in Rolls-Royces, openly flaunting their wealth. [VERB noun]
One secret he learned very early on was not to flaunt his success. [VERB noun]
2. verb
If you say that someone is flauntingthemselves, you disapprove of them because they are behaving in a very confident way, or in a way that is intended to attract sexual attention.
[disapproval]
...tourists flaunting themselves in front of the castle guards in bra and shorts. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
More Synonyms of flaunt
flaunt in British English
(flɔːnt)
verb
1.
to display (possessions, oneself, etc) ostentatiously; show off
2.
to wave or cause to wave freely; flutter
noun
3.
the act of flaunting
▶ USAGE Flaunt is sometimes wrongly used where flout is meant: they must be prevented from flouting (not flaunting) the law
Derived forms
flaunter (ˈflaunter)
noun
flauntingly (ˈflauntingly)
adverb
Word origin
C16: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian dialect flanta to wander about
flaunt in American English
(flɔnt)
verb intransitive
1.
to make a gaudy, ostentatious, conspicuous, impudent, or defiant display
2.
to flutter or wave freely
verb transitive
3.
to show off proudly, defiantly, or impudently
to flaunt one's guilt
4.
flout
usage objected to by many
noun
5. Archaic
the act of flaunting
SIMILAR WORDS: show
Derived forms
flauntingly (ˈflauntingly)
adverb
flaunty (ˈflaunty) Rare
adjective
Word origin
15th & 16th c., prob. < dial. flant, to strut coquettishly, akin to Norw flanta < ON flana, run back and forth < IE *plano- < base *pla-, broad, flat, spread out > Gr planos, wandering
Examples of 'flaunt' in a sentence
flaunt
The use of gladiators became a way for the rich to flaunt their wealth and power?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But they will not be bought by those looking to flaunt their wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But it is not to flaunt wealth that we are driving these cars.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The positioning so close to their offices made it seem that it was being flaunted in front of them.
The Sun (2014)
You don't flaunt your wealth in a courtroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Who can forget the sight of him flaunting his wealth by setting fire to $100 bills?
The Sun (2011)
It's considered gauche to flaunt your wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
If she wears expensive clothes, she is criticised for flaunting her wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But he doesn't flaunt his wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
flaunt
British English: flaunt VERB
If you say that someone flaunts their possessions, abilities, or qualities, you mean that they display them in a very obvious way.
They drove around in flash cars, openly flaunting their wealth.
American English: flaunt
Brazilian Portuguese: ostentar
Chinese: 炫耀
European Spanish: ostentar
French: faire étalage de
German: protzen mit
Italian: ostentare
Japanese: ひけらかす
Korean: 과시하다
European Portuguese: ostentar
Latin American Spanish: ostentar
Chinese translation of 'flaunt'
flaunt
(flɔːnt)
vt
[wealth, possessions]炫耀 (xuànyào)
(verb)
Definition
to display (oneself or one's possessions) arrogantly
openly flaunting their wealth
Synonyms
show off
He had been showing off at the poker table.
display
She does not have to display her charms.
boast
She boasted about her achievements.
parade
He was a modest man who never paraded his wealth.
exhibit
Her work was exhibited in the best galleries in Europe.
flourish
He flourished his glass to make the point.
brandish
He appeared in the lounge brandishing a knife.
vaunt
showboat
make a (great) show of
sport (informal)
He was fat-faced, heavily-built and sported a red moustache.
disport
make an exhibition of
flash about
Usage note
Flaunt is sometimes wrongly used where flout is meant: they must be prevented from flouting (not flaunting) the law.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boast
Definition
to speak in excessively proud terms of one's possessions, talents, etc.
She boasted about her achievements.
Synonyms
brag,
crow,
vaunt,
bluster,
talk big (slang),
blow your own trumpet,
show off,
be proud of,
flaunt,
showboat,
congratulate yourself on,
flatter yourself,
pride yourself on,
skite (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
swagger,
swank (informal)
in the sense of brandish
Definition
to wave (a weapon, etc.) in a triumphant or threatening way
He appeared in the lounge brandishing a knife.
Synonyms
wave,
raise,
display,
shake,
swing,
exhibit,
flourish,
wield,
flaunt
in the sense of display
She does not have to display her charms.
Synonyms
show off,
parade,
exhibit,
sport (informal),
flash (informal),
boast,
flourish,
brandish,
flaunt,
vaunt,
showboat,
make a (great) show of,
disport,
make an exhibition of
Synonyms of 'flaunt'
flaunt
Explore 'flaunt' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of exhibit
Definition
to display (a work of art) to the public
Her work was exhibited in the best galleries in Europe.
Synonyms
display,
show,
present,
set out,
parade,
unveil,
flaunt,
put on view
in the sense of flourish
Definition
to wave (something) dramatically
He flourished his glass to make the point.
Synonyms
wave,
brandish,
sweep,
swish,
display,
shake,
swing,
wield,
flutter,
wag,
flaunt,
vaunt,
twirl
in the sense of parade
Definition
to exhibit or flaunt
He was a modest man who never paraded his wealth.
Synonyms
flaunt,
show,
display,
exhibit,
show off (informal),
air,
draw attention to,
brandish,
vaunt,
showboat,
make a show of
in the sense of sport
Definition
to wear proudly
He was fat-faced, heavily-built and sported a red moustache.