the practice of referring frequently to famous or fashionable people, esp as though they were intimate friends, in order to impress others
Derived forms
name-dropper (ˈname-ˌdropper)
noun
name-dropping in American English
(ˈneimˌdrɑpɪŋ)
noun
the introduction into one's conversation, letters, etc., of the names of famous or important people as alleged friends or associates in order to impress others
Word origin
[1945–50]
Examples of 'name-dropping' in a sentence
name-dropping
He's also not shy of name-dropping.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Then the legendary name-dropping begins.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The poetry name-dropping mania was spreading.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I won't be name-dropping, though!
The Sun (2014)
He was not a man for garrulous name-dropping.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What you are expert on is name-dropping.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The price of such name-dropping is seldom modest, however.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Expect observational riffs and a little name-dropping.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
No less impressive is their literary name-dropping.