name-dropping

noun

name-drop·​ping ˈnām-ˌdrä-piŋ 

: the studied but seemingly casual mention of prominent persons as associates done to impress others

name-drop

ˈnām-ˌdräp 

intransitive verb

name-dropper

ˈnām-ˌdrä-pər 

noun

Examples of name-dropping in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But name-dropping and seemingly endless wealth does not a happy life make. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2025

This is a good sort of name-dropping, because Nvidia Blackwell is powering everything but the kitchen sink. —John Werner, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

The conversation consisted of him endlessly name-dropping and asking zero questions about me. —Kathlene Linehan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025

However, effective personalization isn’t simply about name-dropping or referencing a recent post. —Samuel Darwin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

And although the memoir isn’t as heavy on showbiz anecdote as might be expected, much of the name-dropping may yet surface in the second book. —Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024

Beyond the impressive name-dropping and pedigree — his aunt and uncle are writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne — Dunne, 69, has a gift for storytelling. —Brooke Lefferts, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024

His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024

George does some name-dropping throughout his book, including other members of the Jackson family. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for name-dropping

• intercropping
• overtopping
• telescoping
• chopping
• copping
• cropping
• dropping
• flopping
• hopping
• lopping
• mopping
• popping