Flauntiness

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of displaying oneself or one's possessions with elaborate or excessive decoration to attract attention
2. A characteristic of strikingly bold or flashy appearance or conduct meant to impress or provoke notice
3. The state of being flaunty by demonstrating conspicuous and extravagant style or manner

Etymology: Flauntiness is a plain formation: the adjective "flaunty", meaning showy or ostentatious in style, with the suffix "-ness" attached to turn it into a noun for a state or quality. The suffix is one of English's most productive, able to make a noun from almost any adjective, so "flaunty" plus "-ness" gives a ready name for the quality of being flaunty. The base word is the adjective "flaunty", which rests on the verb "flaunt". That verb's history is the more colourful part. Its origin is uncertain, but it is generally thought to have been a dialect or regional word meaning to flutter or wave, which later took on the sense of displaying oneself or one's possessions boldly. The adjective "flaunty" then describes something that behaves this way, and "flauntiness" names the trait itself.

Synonyms: ostentation, showiness, flamboyance, vainglory, exhibitionism

Antonyms: modesty, humility, reserve, subduedness, reticence