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.
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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
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.