EnglishLearner.com
  • Dictionary
  • List of exercises
  • Exercises by level
    • Beginner exercises
    • Intermediate exercises
    • Advanced exercises
  • Dictionary
  • List of exercises
  • Exercises by level+
    • Beginner exercises
    • Intermediate exercises
    • Advanced exercises

Meaning of boast in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  1. Pronunciation

    /boʊst/

    US accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce boast in American English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.

    UK accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce boast in British English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.
  1. Verb

    boast

    Etymology

    Middle English (as a noun): of unknown origin

    Definitions

    1. show off

    Derived terms

    • blowhard
    • bluster
    • blusterer
    • boaster
    • boasting
    • brag
    • braggadocio
    • braggart
    • bragger
    • bragging
    • bravado
    • crow
    • crowing
    • gasconade
    • jactitation
    • line-shooter
    • line-shooting
    • loudmouth
    • rhodomontade
    • rodomontade
    • self-praise
    • vaporing
    • vaunt
    • vaunter
  2. 2. wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner

    Examples

    • « she was sporting a new hat »

    Derived terms

    • feature
    • feature article
  3. Noun

    boast

    Etymology

    late 19th century: perhaps from French bosse denoting a rounded projection in the wall of a court for real tennis

    Definitions

    1. speaking of yourself in superlatives

    Derived terms

    • blow
    • bluster
    • brag
    • gas
    • gasconade
    • shoot a line
    • swash
    • tout
    • vaunt

Famous quotes

  • « It has become almost a cliche to remark that nobody boasts of ignorance of literature, but it is socially acceptable to boast ignorance of science and proudly claim incompetence in mathematics. »
    Richard Dawkins
  • « None but a coward dares to boast that he has never known fear. »
    Bertrand Russell
  • « We need two kinds of acquaintances, one to complain to, while to the others we boast. »
    Logan P. Smith
  • « But who can paint like Nature? Can imagination boast, amid its gay creation, hues like hers? »
    James Thomson
  • « It is common for those that are farthest from God, to boast themselves most of their being near to the Church. »
    Matthew Henry

Browse dictionary

  • boar thistle
  • boarhound
  • boarfish
  • board up
  • boast
  • boaster
  • boastful
  • boastfully
  • boastfulness
Copyright © EnglishLearner.com 1998-2021