boast

1 of 3

noun

ˈbōst 

1

: a statement expressing excessive pride in oneself : the act or an instance of boasting (see boast entry 2) : brag

It may sound like a boast, but I truly am very wealthy.

2

: a cause for pride

boast

2 of 3

verb (1)

boasted; boasting; boasts

intransitive verb

1

: to praise oneself extravagantly in speech : speak of oneself with excessive pride

boasting about her accomplishments

2

archaic : glory, exult

transitive verb

1

: to speak of or assert with excessive pride

He liked to boast that he was the richest man in town.

2

a

: to possess and often call attention to (something that is a source of pride)

boasts a new stadium

b

: have, contain

a room boasting no more than a desk and a chair

boaster noun

boast

3 of 3

verb (2)

boasted; boasting; boasts

transitive verb

: to shape (stone) roughly in sculpture and stonecutting as a preliminary to finer work

Synonyms

Noun

• credit
• crown jewel
• glory
• honor
• jewel
• pride
• treasure
• trophy

Verb (1)

• blow
• brag
• bull [slang]
• crow
• gasconade
• swagger
• vapor
• vaunt

Choose the Right Synonym for boast

boast, brag, vaunt, crow mean to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments.

boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration

boasts of every trivial success

, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride.

the town boasts one of the best museums in the area

brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself.

bragging of their exploits

vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag.

vaunted his country's military might

crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging.

crowed after winning the championship

Examples of boast in a Sentence

Noun

When he says he's the richest man in town, he's not just making an idle boast.

We were offended by his boast that he would easily beat us.

The museum's proudest boast is its collection of rare gems.

Verb (1)

he boasted about his latest killing in real estate so I thought he should be the one to pay for dinner

the hotel boasts nearly 50 rooms

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After all, many products like the aforementioned Woven Seam Taped Pant boast cinched waistlines and others, like the Refina Bodysuit, have body-shaping stitch lines. —Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024

Despite Trump's boast, few expect a photo shoot of the three leaders on January 21 amid sticking points over whether freezing the current frontline would play into Russia's hands and if Putin, or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, can even agree to talks. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Verb

It's formulated with benzoyl peroxide and boasts antimicrobial properties that clear zits and prevent future breakouts. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024

Sonic 3 has been embraced by critics — casting Reeves was a smooth move — and boasts a franchise-best critics’ score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes (that compares to 64 percent and 68 percent, respectively, for the first two). —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb (1)

Middle English boost

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Verb (2)

1823, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

boast

1 of 2 noun

ˈbōst 

1

: the act of boasting

2

: a cause for pride

boastful

ˈbōst-fəl 

adjective

boastfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

boastfulness noun

boast

2 of 2 verb

1

: to praise one's own possessions, qualities, or accomplishments

2

: to have and display proudly

our band boasted new uniforms

boaster noun