You’ve seen it. Someone posts a photo of their brand-new watch or a stack of pancakes at a five-star hotel with a caption like, "If you've got it, flaunt it." It feels natural. It feels right. But here’s the kicker: half the time people use the word, they’re accidentally flirting with a completely different linguistic concept. Using flaunt in a sentence seems like a no-brainer until you realize how often it gets tangled up with its phonetic cousin, "flout."
Words have weight.
When you flaunt something, you’re putting it on display. You’re parading it. Think of a peacock. Or a billionaire with a custom-painted jet. It’s about visibility and, usually, a bit of pride—or even arrogance. Merriam-Webster defines it as "to display ostentatiously," which is just a fancy way of saying you’re showing off. But if you say you’re "flaunting the rules," you’ve likely stumbled. Unless you’re literally holding a rulebook in the air while dancing, you probably meant you’re flouting them.
The Fine Line Between Confidence and Bragging
Context changes everything. Honestly, the way we perceive someone who decides to flaunt their success depends entirely on the "vibe" of the situation. In a business setting, flaunting your credentials might be necessary to win a contract. In a social setting? It might just make you the person nobody wants to sit next to at dinner.
Take this example: "She chose to flaunt her diamond ring by constantly adjusting her hair with her left hand."
👉 See also: Why a Gift Card Book for Graduation is Actually Better Than Just Cash
It’s descriptive. It tells a story. You can see the movement. You can feel the intention behind it. That’s the power of the word. It implies an audience. You can't really flaunt something in a vacuum; there has to be someone there to witness the display. It's a performative verb.
Why Flaunt in a Sentence Is Often Confused with Flout
Language evolves, sure, but some distinctions still matter if you want to sound like you know what you’re talking about. The "flaunt vs. flout" debate has been raging since the mid-20th century. While some dictionaries are starting to acknowledge that people use them interchangeably, most editors and writers will still give you the side-eye if you mix them up.
Flout means to treat with contempt or to disregard openly.
- Incorrect: He liked to flaunt the speed limit in his new sports car.
- Correct: He liked to flout the speed limit, but he definitely loved to flaunt the car itself.
See the difference? One is about breaking a rule; the other is about showing off the hardware. It's a nuance that separates a hobbyist writer from a pro. If you’re writing a legal brief or a high-stakes email, getting this right isn’t just about being a "grammar nerd." It’s about clarity. It’s about making sure your message doesn't get lost because the reader is busy judging your vocabulary.
Real-World Examples of Flaunting in Action
Let’s look at how this actually shows up in literature and media. Think about Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald didn't just have Jay Gatsby own nice things; he had him flaunt his wealth through those massive, chaotic parties in West Egg. The shirts. The cars. The yellow Rolls-Royce. Everything was a display meant for a single viewer: Daisy.
In a more modern, casual sense, you might hear someone say, "Stop flaunting your tan, we know you went to Bali."
It’s used as a playful jab. It’s conversational. It’s human.
Here are a few ways to bake it into different contexts:
- The Professional Angle: "The startup didn't hesitate to flaunt its latest funding round to attract top-tier talent from Silicon Valley."
- The Nature Angle: "Male birds often flaunt their bright plumage to attract a mate during the spring season."
- The Arrogant Angle: "It's one thing to be talented, but to flaunt your IQ score at a casual bar hang is just tacky."
The Psychology of the Display
Why do we do it? Why do we feel the need to flaunt? Psychologists often point toward "costly signaling theory." It’s an evolutionary trait. By showing that we have excess—whether that’s money, health, or time—we are signaling our fitness or status to the tribe.
In the digital age, social media has turned "flaunting" into a 24/7 career. Instagram is basically a platform built for people to flaunt their best lives in a curated sentence of pixels. But there’s a risk. Over-flaunting leads to what researchers call "status signaling paradox." Basically, while we think flaunting our high-status items will make us more attractive to potential friends, it often has the opposite effect. People want to be friends with those who are relatable, not those who are constantly performing.
✨ Don't miss: Chinois Chicken Salad: What Most People Get Wrong About This Spago Classic
Nuances You Might Have Missed
There’s a subtle transitive vs. intransitive thing going on here too.
Usually, you flaunt something (transitive). You flaunt your skills. You flaunt your new shoes. But occasionally, you’ll see it used intransitively, as in "If you’ve got it, flaunt it." In that case, the "it" is implied, but the action stands alone. It's a call to action. It's an attitude.
It’s also worth noting that "flaunt" almost always carries a negative connotation in British English compared to American English. In the US, it’s often seen as a sign of "making it." In the UK, it can be viewed as "crass" or "nouveau riche." Knowing your audience helps. If you're writing for a London-based publication, you might want to use the word more sparingly or with more critical intent.
How to Master the Word in Your Own Writing
If you want to use flaunt in a sentence effectively, stop thinking about it as just "showing." Think about the intent.
Is the character proud? Are they trying to make someone jealous? Are they just naturally vibrant?
Compare these two:
- "He showed his trophy." (Boring. Neutral.)
- "He flaunted his trophy." (He’s probably gloating. He wants you to feel the weight of his win.)
The second sentence does so much more work. It builds character. It sets a tone. That’s why we have specific words instead of just using "show" for everything.
Actionable Steps for Better Vocabulary Usage
To really nail this, you’ve got to practice the "Context Test." Before you drop "flaunt" into your next text or essay, ask yourself these three things:
- Is there an object? Am I flaunting a thing, a trait, or a status?
- Is there an audience? Who am I showing this to?
- Is there a "flout" lurking? Am I talking about a rule or a display? If it's a rule, back away from "flaunt" immediately.
Try writing three sentences right now. One about a physical object, one about a personality trait, and one about a group of people. See how the "flaunt" changes the power dynamic in each scenario.
- Physical: "The collector loved to flaunt his rare vinyl to anyone who walked into the shop."
- Trait: "She didn't just have a sharp wit; she liked to flaunt it during boring meetings."
- Group: "The team decided to flaunt their undefeated record by wearing their jerseys to the rival school's rally."
Mastering this isn't just about passing a spelling bee. It's about being precise with your energy. When you use the right word, people listen differently. They see the nuance. They get the "why" behind the "what." So go ahead—flaunt your new understanding of the word. Just make sure you aren't flouting the conventions of good taste while you do it.
Start by auditing your recent social media captions. Look for places where you used "show" or "post" and see if "flaunt" fits better—or if it reveals a bit too much about your ego. Then, try using it in a professional bio to highlight an achievement without sounding like a robot. The more you play with the word, the more natural it becomes. Use it to add color to your prose, but keep it tucked away when you need to be humble. Precision is the ultimate flex.