flaunch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / ObsoleteHistorical / Technical / Dialectal
Quick answer
What does “flaunch” mean?
To spread or splay outward, often in a clumsy or awkward manner. Historically, to curve or slope a masonry surface (such as the top of a chimney) for water runoff.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To spread or splay outward, often in a clumsy or awkward manner. Historically, to curve or slope a masonry surface (such as the top of a chimney) for water runoff.
To project or move in a loose, unsteady, or floppy way; to cause something to spread outwards. In technical building contexts, the noun form refers to the sloping mortar around a chimney pot.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In historical/technical masonry contexts, 'flaunch' (noun/verb) may be slightly more attested in British texts due to the preservation of older building terminology. In American English, it is virtually unknown.
Connotations
Both dialects would consider it archaic. Any modern use would be either deliberately archaic or a dialect survival.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, approaching zero in corpora of modern general English.
Grammar
How to Use “flaunch” in a Sentence
[Subject] flaunches[Subject] flaunches [Object] (out/wide)[Subject] is flaunched with mortarVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flaunch” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old chimney needed to be properly flaunched to prevent water ingress.
- He flaunched his arms out in a gesture of helpless confusion.
American English
- The mason will flaunch the base of the chimney pot with fresh mortar. (historical)
adjective
British English
- The flaunching mortar was cracked and needed repair.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or studies of obsolete vocabulary.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Possibly in historic masonry preservation texts referring to 'flaunching' a chimney stack.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flaunch”
- Misspelling as 'flaunt' or 'flange'.
- Assuming it is a common modern verb.
- Incorrect pronunciation as /flɑːntʃ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and largely obsolete word. You are unlikely to encounter it outside of historical or very specialised technical texts.
It refers to the sloping bed of mortar (often cement render) around the base of a chimney pot on a chimney stack, designed to shed water.
No, that is the word 'flaunt'. 'Flaunch' is a different and unrelated word.
Comprehensive dictionaries document the historical lexicon of English, including words that are no longer in active use, to aid in understanding older literature and specialised fields.
To spread or splay outward, often in a clumsy or awkward manner. Historically, to curve or slope a masonry surface (such as the top of a chimney) for water runoff.
Flaunch is usually historical / technical / dialectal in register.
Flaunch: in British English it is pronounced /flɔːntʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /flɔːntʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in contemporary use”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FLoppy paUNCH that spills or spreads out to the sides -> FLAUNCH.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPREADING IS AN UNCONTROLLED, LOOSE MOTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you historically encounter the word 'flaunch'?