Flout
/flaʊt/
verbC2
Definition
Flout means to deliberately break or ignore rules, laws, or social customs without caring about the consequences or respect. It usually shows a clear disrespect or challenge to authority or accepted behavior. People flout rules when they want to show they do not agree with or fear the rules.
Was this helpful?
⚡ See It in Action
To openly refuse to obey a law or rule
- •The driver flouted the speed limit by driving very fast through the town.
- •Some companies flout environmental laws to save money.
- •He flouted the school rules by wearing a hat inside the classroom.
To show disrespect for customs or accepted behavior
- •She flouted tradition by wearing bright colors to the formal event.
- •The artist flouted social norms with his unusual style.
- •They flouted the dress code at the party, ignoring the request for formal clothes.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'flout' like 'break,' but with a strong feeling of not caring and even disrespecting the rule or law
- ✓Picture someone loudly ignoring a 'No Smoking' sign by smoking in front of it with a proud or angry face
- ✓It's the feeling when you see someone clearly doing something wrong on purpose, almost as if they want to challenge the rule
- ✓Sounds like 'flout' → imagine a loud shout ('shout') of defiance while ignoring the rule
- ✓In stories or movies, a rebel character might flout the king’s laws to show they don’t respect the king’s power
- ✓NOT like 'ignore' (which can be quiet or accidental), 'flout' is open and often proud disobedience
- ✓NOT like 'obey' (to follow rules), 'flout' is the opposite: to openly refuse to follow rules
- ✓NOT like 'disobey' (which can be private or secret), 'flout' is public and bold disrespect
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Ignore: to not pay attention to a rule or law (Use when someone quietly does not follow a rule without showing disrespect)
- •Disobey: to not follow a rule or command (Use when someone refuses to follow rules but not necessarily in a proud or open way)
- •Defy: to openly refuse to obey or respect (Use when the refusal is bold and often with a challenge, similar to flout)
- •Violate: to break a law or rule (Use when focusing on the fact a rule is broken, less about attitude)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (No clear prefix or suffix; root word 'flout')
- •Etymology: From Old French 'flouter,' meaning to mock or jeer (make fun of)
- •Historical development: Originally meant to mock or show scorn, now means openly disobey or disrespect rules
- •Modern usage: Used mostly in formal or serious contexts to describe bold rule-breaking or disrespect
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Why might someone choose to flout a rule instead of quietly ignoring it?
•How does flouting rules affect the people or groups who create those rules?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The company flouted the safety regulations because they wanted to ___ costs and did not care about worker risks.
2.When someone flouts a rule, they usually do it ___ and want others to see their action.
3.Flouting a law is different from simply breaking it because flout includes a sense of ___ or challenge.
4.The protestors flouted the curfew by staying outside ___ the police orders.
5.People who flout social customs often want to express ___ or disagreement with those customs.
6.When a student flouts school rules, teachers may give ___ to show the behavior is not acceptable.
7.If a person flouts the rules regularly, we can infer they feel ___ or do not respect the authority behind the rules.