Flagrant

Flagrant is an adjective used to describe actions or behavior that are conspicuously offensive, improper, or in clear violation of rules or norms. It conveys that something is not only wrong, but glaringly so, often provoking strong disapproval or condemnation.

Etymology traces flagrant to Latin flagrans, from flagrare “to burn,” with the sense that wrongdoing is so evident it is as if it is burning. In English, the metaphorical use emphasizes obviousness and audacity. The phrase in flagrante delicto, Latin for “in the act of crime,” historically describes someone caught committing a wrongdoing; the term is still used in some legal and journalistic contexts to indicate immediate exposure of an offense.

In contemporary usage, flagrant modifies nouns such as violation, misconduct, or disregard. It is typically negative and stronger than simply “blatant.” The adverb form is flagrantly. Common contexts include law, ethics, sports, politics, and corporate governance, where flagrant behavior invites sanction, discipline, or public censure.

Sports terminology often applies the term flagrant to particularly violent or dangerous fouls, with varying severity by league. For example, basketball leagues may categorize flagrant fouls into levels that determine penalties such as fines or suspensions.

Related concepts include synonyms like blatant, egregious, and conspicuous, which share the sense of obvious wrongdoing, and antonyms such as inconspicuous or minor. While visually similar in spelling, flagrant should not be confused with fragrant, which relates to scent.