English Reference

Word

flagrant

Phoneticsfla·grant

US/ˈfɫeɪɡɹənt/

UK/flˈeɪɡɹənt/

Definitions

01obvious and offensive

C1

adj. describes a bad action that is very easy to see and shows no respect for rules.

adj. conspicuously and outrageously bad, offensive, or reprehensible. Often used to describe a breach of law, rules, or morality that is not concealed.

“The player was sent off the field for a flagrant foul against his opponent.”

“The company's flagrant disregard for safety regulations led to a series of avoidable accidents and a massive fine from the government.”

Formal

Usage

Commonly collocates with nouns like 'disregard', 'violation', 'breach', or 'error'.

Antonyms

02on fire

C2

adj. burning with flames.

adj. burning or flaming; used in a literal sense regarding combustion.

“The poet described the flagrant sun sinking into the dark ocean.”

“In the ancient text, the city was described as a flagrant ruin, with smoke rising high into the summer sky.”

Archaic · Literary

Teaching tip

This literal sense is extremely rare in modern English; learners will almost exclusively encounter the 'blatant' sense.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“Misinformation, misdirection and flagrant cover-ups create a daisy chain of lies.”
The Guardian · 18 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle French flagrant, from Latin flagrantem, present participle of flagrare (“blaze, burn”). More at black.

From Latin frāgrans, participle of frāgrō (“smell, reek”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference