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flout
/flaʊt/
openly disregard
He flouted the company's dress code by wearing jeans to the office.
He deliberately ignored the dress code rules.
formal
to openly disregard or disobey a rule, law, or convention
The protesters flouted the curfew by marching at midnight.
The protesters openly ignored the curfew time.
She flouted tradition by wearing a white dress to the funeral.
She deliberately broke the traditional dress code.
Implies a deliberate and often defiant disregard for rules or norms. Often used to describe actions that challenge authority or convention.
Collocations
flout the rulesto deliberately ignore or break rulesflout conventionto intentionally reject accepted standards or practices
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'flaunt'
Remember: 'Flout' = defy rules; 'Flaunt' = show off. 'He flouted the dress code' (broke the rule) vs. 'He flaunted his wealth' (showed it off).
Gold Rule
Use 'flout' for deliberate defiance
Flout is used when someone intentionally ignores or disobeys a rule, law, or convention. It carries a tone of defiance or scorn.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'flouten' meaning 'to play the flute' or 'to jeer', derived from Old French 'flauter' (to play the flute). The sense of 'disregarding rules' emerged in the 16th century, possibly influenced by the idea of mocking or scoffing at authority.
Usage Notes
Flout is often confused with 'flaunt' (to display ostentatiously), but they are distinct in meaning. Flout emphasizes defiance, while flaunt emphasizes ostentation.
English Dictionary