boast

¹

[bohst]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak with exaggeration and excessive pride, especially about oneself.

2. to speak with pride (often followed byof ).

   He boasted of his family's wealth.

verb (used with object)

1. to speak of with excessive pride or vanity.

   He boasts himself a genius.

2. to be proud in the possession of.

   The town boasts a new school.

noun

1. a thing boasted of; a cause for pride.

   Talent is his boast. It is her boast that she has never betrayed a friend.

2. exaggerated or objectionable speech; bragging.

   empty boasts and threats.

boast

²

[bohst]

verb (used with object)

Masonry.

1. to dress or shape (stone) roughly.

boast

¹

/ bəʊst /

verb

1. (intr; sometimes foll by of or about) to speak in exaggerated or excessively proud terms of one's possessions, skills, or superior qualities; brag

2. (tr) to possess (something to be proud of)

   the city boasts a fine cathedral

noun

1. a bragging statement

2. a possession, attribute, attainment, etc, that is or may be bragged about

boast

²

/ bəʊst /

noun

1. a stroke in which the ball is hit on to one of the side walls before hitting the front wall

verb

1. to hit (the ball) in this way or make such a stroke

boast

³

/ bəʊst /

verb

1. (tr) to shape or dress (stone) roughly with a broad chisel

Other Word Forms

• boastingly adverb
• boastless adjective
• boasting noun
• boaster noun
• boasted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of boast¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English bost (noun), bosten (verb), of uncertain origin

Origin of boast²

First recorded in 1815–25; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of boast¹

C13: of uncertain origin

Origin of boast²

C19: perhaps from French bosse the place where the ball hits the wall

Origin of boast³

C19: of unknown origin

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Dell Technologies boasts strong scale advantages, robust earnings revisions, and significant improvements in profitability.

Read more on Barron's

It boasted a new generation of fuel-efficient engines, including one that was plagued by rapidly degrading seals meant to keep oil from leaking into the air supply.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The Panthers boast three of the league’s most notorious pests on their roster, each of whom is renowned for trash talking, chippy hits, and enthusiastically physical play.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Consultants train parents on how to authentically boast about a child’s academics and social-emotional health.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“Incredibly fast,” boasts the descriptor for this month’s Big Cottonwood in Salt Lake City.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• claim 
• exhibit 
• own 
• possess 

When To Use

What does boast mean?

To boast is to brag, especially in a way that exaggerates or shows excessive pride about the boaster’s skills, possessions, or accomplishments.The word boast can also be used as a noun to refer to such a claim, as in He made outrageous boasts about how he once rode a shark.People most often boast about themselves—their skills, their possessions, or the things that they have accomplished—but a person can also boast about someone else. A parent might boast about their child’s accomplishments, for example.Someone who is known for boasting or who boasts excessively can be described as boastful.The word boast can also mean to possess something in a way that’s considered worthy of pride, as in The school boasts a new library and gym. A product may be said to boast a certain feature, as in The new model boasts a 10-inch display. This sense of the word does not imply exaggeration or excessive pride like the primary sense of the word often does.Example: He boasts about how good he is, but I’ve never actually seen him perform.