boost
Americanverb (used with object)
-
boosts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
boosted,
past participle, past
-
boosting
present participle
-
to lift or raise by pushing from behind or below.
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to advance or aid by speaking well of; promote.
She always boosts her hometown.
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to boost prices;
to boost the horsepower of the car by 20 percent.
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to administer a booster shot to.
Have you and your family been boosted yet?
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Slang. to steal, especially to shoplift.
Two computers were boosted from the office last night.
verb (used without object)
-
boosts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
boosted,
past participle, past
-
boosting
present participle
noun
-
encouragement, improvement, or help
a boost to morale
-
an upward thrust or push
he gave him a boost over the wall
-
an increase or rise
a boost in salary
-
a publicity campaign; promotion
-
the amount by which the induction pressure of a supercharged internal-combustion engine exceeds that of the ambient pressure
verb
-
to encourage, assist, or improve
to boost morale
-
to lift by giving a push from below or behind
-
to increase or raise
to boost the voltage in an electrical circuit
-
to cause to rise; increase
to boost sales
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to advertise on a big scale
-
to increase the induction pressure of (an internal-combustion engine) above that of the ambient pressure; supercharge
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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boostsimple
-
boostssimple
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have boostedperfect
-
has boostedperfect
-
am boostingprogressive
-
are boostingprogressive
-
is boostingprogressive
-
have been boostingperfect progressive
-
has been boostingperfect progressive
Past
-
boostedsimple
-
had boostedperfect
-
was boostingprogressive
-
were boostingprogressive
-
had been boostingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of boost
An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; perhaps Scots dialect boose (variant of pouss push ) + (hoi)st
Explanation
Think of the word boost as meaning "help up." Maybe you need a boost getting over a fence (hmm — are you sneaking in or sneaking out?), or maybe you are feeling low and need to boost your spirits — chocolate, anyone? Sometimes words appear that really don't have any clear origins. Boost is one of those words, but it's a fun word, and it's thought that maybe it has some connection to boose, a Scots dialect word that carries the idea of a push. A slang meaning of the word is to sneakily steal, like shoplifting. You gave your cousin a boost into the window, not knowing he was planning on boosting some sneakers.
Vocabulary lists containing boost
Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 2
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Higher Learning: Synonyms For "Up"
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"Laws are not the only way to boost immunization”: an editorial from Nature
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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.
See Examples For:
But if tensions simmer, the economy would get another boost from falling energy prices just as winter approaches.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
Don’t miss: Microsoft earnings give the stock a boost.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
The Horseman and Rip Van Winkle, another figure introduced in the collection, would become classic American characters and, in 1949, a Walt Disney animated featurette would give “Sleepy Hollow” a boost for a new generation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
The Growth Mission Fund was set up to invest £240m between 2026-27 and 2029-30 in schemes designed to boost job creation and the economic regeneration of local communities.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
Coming on top of the victory at Stalingrad, the honor of being made a Guards regiment must have been a fine boost for the night bombers’ morale.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
The Thai independent power producer signed a purchase agreement this month to acquire an additional 12% stake that boosts its ownership to 50%, the analyst notes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
But it could be due to the fact that massage reduces muscle stiffness, improves circulation and boosts relaxation.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026
That is because higher productivity boosts expected investment returns, increasing demand for borrowed funds, which can drive interest rates higher.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
Analysts say the appeal could extend a closely watched legal battle that has drawn attention to Chey's control of SK Group, as the AI boom boosts the value of its chip assets.
From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026
“What happens when the Sender boosts the power?”
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
Shell, whose revenue rose sharply to $92.8 billion, said high natural gas prices also boosted its third quarter.
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
Businesses also boosted inventories substantially to replace depleted warehouses and to keep up with rising customer demand.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
The brewer’s third-quarter revenue increased 4.9% on year to $16.51 billion, boosted by a focus on more premium and nonbeer lines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
The company went public in 2019 during the special-purpose acquisition company boom, boosted by its association with the charismatic Branson, who rang the New York Stock Exchange’s opening bell on the company’s trading debut.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
If we fired them while we were pointed forward instead of backward, instead of reentering the atmosphere we would be boosted into a higher orbit, with no way to get down from it.
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
Ireland’s economy grew rapidly for a second straight quarter in the three months through September, boosting hopes for a continued expansion across the eurozone as a whole despite higher energy costs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Each one assigned supporters a specific task aimed at boosting Lula's visibility on social media.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
The Buckeye Bulletin’s Facebook and Instagram accounts have spent just over $10,000 boosting posts this year, according to Meta’s ad library.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
American Express also said it is boosting its profit outlook for the year as its customers continue to spend more.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
“Mr. Curtain’s boosting the power,” Reynie said gravely, and when Kate and Sticky looked at him, still not comprehending, he said, “It’s the hidden messages. Our minds are reacting to them.”
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
