# flagrant

/ˈfɫeɪɡɹənt/ (US) · /flˈeɪɡɹənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flagrant
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. obvious and offensive

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

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

### 2. on fire

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

burning with flames.

For teachers: 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.

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

## Examples

- The player was sent off for a flagrant foul.
- The company was fined for its flagrant disregard of safety regulations, which had put hundreds of workers at risk.
- The diplomat's actions were a flagrant violation of international treaties, prompting an immediate and stern response from the global community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.