boast
Use Boast in a sentence
verb (used without object)
1.
to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, especially about oneself.
2.
to speak with pride (often followed by of ): He boasted of his family's wealth.
verb (used with object)
3.
to speak of with excessive pride or vanity: He boasts himself a genius.
4.
to be proud in the possession of: The town boasts a new school.
noun
5.
a thing boasted of; a cause for pride: Talent is his boast. It is her boast that she has never betrayed a friend.
6.
exaggerated or objectionable speech; bragging: empty boasts and threats.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English bost (noun), bosten (v.), of uncertain origin
1250–1300; Middle English bost (noun), bosten (v.), of uncertain origin
Related forms
boast·ing·ly, adverb
boast·less, adjective
Synonyms
1, 2. Boast, brag imply vocal self-praise or claims to superiority over others. Boast usually refers to a particular ability, possession, etc., that may be one of such kind as to justify a good deal of pride: He boasts of his ability as a singer. Brag a more colloquial term, usually suggests a more ostentatious and exaggerated boasting but less well-founded: He brags loudly of his marksmanship.
1, 2. Boast, brag imply vocal self-praise or claims to superiority over others. Boast usually refers to a particular ability, possession, etc., that may be one of such kind as to justify a good deal of pride: He boasts of his ability as a singer. Brag a more colloquial term, usually suggests a more ostentatious and exaggerated boasting but less well-founded: He brags loudly of his marksmanship.
00:10
Boast
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To boast
Collins
World English Dictionary
boast1 (bəʊst) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (intr; |
| 2. | (tr) to possess (something to be proud of): the city boasts a fine cathedral |
| —n | |
| 3. | a bragging statement |
| 4. | a possession, attribute, attainment, etc, that is or may be bragged about |
| [C13: of uncertain origin] | |
| 'boaster1 | |
| —n | |
| 'boasting1 | |
| —n, —adj | |
| 'boastingly1 | |
| —adv | |
| boast2 (bəʊst) | |
| —vb | |
| (tr) to shape or dress (stone) roughly with a broad chisel | |
| [C19: of unknown origin] | |
| boast3 (bəʊst) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a stroke in which the ball is hit on to one of the side walls before hitting the front wall |
| —vb | |
| 2. | to hit (the ball) in this way or make such a stroke |
| [C19: perhaps from French bosse the place where the ball hits the wall] | |
| 'boasted3 | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
boast
mid-13c., from Anglo-Norm. bost, probably via Scandinavian (cf. Norw. baus "proud, bold, daring"), from P.Gmc. *bausia "to blow up, puff up, swell" (cf. dial. Ger. baustern "to swell," M.Du. bose, Du. boos "evil, wicked, angry," O.H.G. bosi "worthless, slanderous," Ger. böse "evil, bad, angry"),
from PIE *bhou-, variant of base *bheu- "to grow, swell" (see be). The notion apparently is of being "puffed up" with pride; cf. O.E. belgan "to become angry, offend, provoke," belg "anger, arrogance," from the same root as bellows and belly (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
It may boast liquid water, organic molecules, and a source of energy to drive chemical processes.
In a city that does not do much bragging, the mighty brewery has long been a reason to boast.
Tour companies offer cruises that boast panoramic views of downtown and historic lighthouses that once guided seafaring vessels.
Too bad, because the state park and surrounding national forest boast some inspiring footpaths.
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