humblebrag
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
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
Etymology
Origin of humblebrag
First recorded in 2005–10; humble ( def. ) + brag ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 • Nov. 19, 2025
Let others brag and humblebrag, flex and ratio and hunt their enemies down — I’d take myself down, thank you very much.
From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2022
This is truly not intended as a humblebrag, but I noticed an uptick of these behaviors after Samuel realized that Gavin is a stronger reader despite being six months younger.
From Slate • Aug. 27, 2020
He has used Twitter to extend a hand across the void, not just humblebrag about himself.
From Washington Post • Apr. 9, 2020
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.