boast
/boust/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb:
- To speak with excessive pride about oneself, one's achievements, or possessions: To make statements that exaggerate one's own importance, skills, or successes.
- To possess or contain (something notable) as a feature: To have or contain a particular desirable feature or quality.
Noun:
- An act of speaking about oneself with excessive pride: A statement in which someone praises themselves or what they have done in a way that is considered excessive or arrogant.
- A source of pride: Something that one is proud of and can rightfully mention.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- He tends to boast about his wealth. (He often speaks with excessive pride about how much money he has.)
- The city boasts one of the oldest universities in the country. (The city possesses the notable feature of having one of the country's oldest universities.)
- Noun:
- Her claim of being the best player was an empty boast. (Her statement about being the best player was an exaggerated and unfounded claim of superiority.)
- The library is the town's main boast. (The library is the primary thing the town is justifiably proud of.)
Advanced Usage
- "to boast of/about something": To speak proudly, often excessively, concerning a specific thing.
- She boasted of her connections to famous people.
- "to have something to boast about": To have a genuine achievement or possession that warrants pride.
- With such high grades, you really have something to boast about.
Variants and Related Words
- Boaster (noun): A person who boasts frequently.
- He was known as a loud boaster.
- Boastful (adjective): Showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.
- He was chastised for his boastful attitude.
- Boastfully (adverb): In a boastful manner.
- He spoke boastfully of his past exploits.
Synonyms
- Verb: Brag, crow, vaunt, swagger, show off.
- Noun: Brag, vaunt, claim.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
- Boast about/of: This is the standard construction for the verb. It is not typically separated.
- He boasted about his new car.
- The region boasts of a mild climate.
Related Idioms
- "Great boast, small roast": This proverb criticizes empty boasting, implying that big talk is not matched by substantial results or action.
- He promised to fund the entire project, but it was a case of great boast, small roast.
Noun
- speaking of yourself in superlatives
Verb
- wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner
- she was sporting a new hat
- show off