humblebrag

American  

[huhm-buhl-brag] / ˈhʌm bəlˌbræg /

Or humble brag

noun

1. a statement intended as a boast or brag but disguised by a humble apology, complaint, etc.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make such a disguised boast or brag.

   He's humblebragging about how tired he is from his world travels.

Usage

What does humblebrag mean? When you want to boast but pretend to be modest about it, or if you gripe about something most people would desire, you're humblebragging. The term, and practice, is especially common on social media.Example: Ugh, my phone is so old! I'm embarrassed to take it with me during my dates with supermodels and actors.

Other Word Forms

• humblebragger noun

Etymology

Origin of humblebrag

First recorded in 2005–10; humble ( def. ) + brag ( def. )

Example Sentences

It's one of the most common answers used in a job interview to spin the dreaded "What's your weakness?" into a humblebrag.

From BBC

"Data is a really good way to humblebrag, as opposed to actually taking selfies in all of your best clothes surrounded by all of your best people and belongings," Prof Wilson adds.

From BBC

Produced by Pheelz, a Nigerian songwriter who adds a rap verse, “Ruin” deploys the shakers, deep log drums, soothing keyboard chords and open spaces of amapiano as Usher mixes accusation, plaint and humblebrag.

From New York Times

It at least also confesses to “infrequent earthquakes and hailstorms” and professes a little civic humility by way of a humblebrag: L.A. “is not a perfect paradise, nor a heaven on earth, but it is good to be found living here.”

From Los Angeles Times

He began to troll his father on social media, dinging him for each humblebrag.

From New York Times