Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense boasts, present participle boasting, past tense, past participle boasted
1. verb
If someone boasts about something that they have done or that they own, they talk about it very proudly, in a way that other people may find irritating or offensive.
[disapproval]
Witnesses said Furci boasted that he took part in killing them. [VERB that]
Carol boasted about her costume. [V + about/of]
He's boasted of being involved in the arms theft. [V + about/of]
We remember our mother's stern instructions not to boast. [VERB]
[Also VERB with quote]
Boast is also a noun.
It is the charity's proud boast that it has never yet turned anyone away.
He was asked about earlier boasts of a quick victory.
2. verb
If someone or something can boast a particular achievement or possession, they have achieved or possess that thing.
The houses will boast the latest energy-saving technology. [VERB noun]
Frommen says his country boasts a healthy economy. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: possess, offer, present, exhibit More Synonyms of boast
More Synonyms of boast
boast in British English1
(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. (transitive)
to possess (something to be proud of)
the city boasts a fine cathedral
noun
3.
a bragging statement
4.
a possession, attribute, attainment, etc, that is or may be bragged about
Derived forms
boaster (ˈboaster)
noun
boasting (ˈboasting)
noun, adjective
boastingly (ˈboastingly)
adverb
Word origin
C13: of uncertain origin
boast in British English2
(bəʊst)
verb
(transitive)
to shape or dress (stone) roughly with a broad chisel
Word origin
C19: of unknown origin
boast in British English3
(bəʊst) squash
noun
1.
a stroke in which the ball is hit on to one of the side walls before hitting the front wall
verb
2.
to hit (the ball) in this way or make such a stroke
Derived forms
boasted (ˈboasted)
adjective
Word origin
C19: perhaps from French bosse the place where the ball hits the wall
boast in American English1
(boʊst)
verb intransitive
1.
to talk proudly about deeds, abilities, etc., either one's own or those of someone close to one, esp. in a mannershowing too much pride and satisfaction; brag
2. Archaic
to be vainly proud; exult
verb transitive
3.
to boast about
4.
to glory in having or doing (something); be proud of
the town boasts a fine new library
noun
5.
the act of one who boasts
6.
anything boasted of
SYNONYMY NOTE: boast1, the basic term in this list, merely suggests pride or satisfaction, as in one'sdeeds or abilities [you may well boast of your efficiency]; brag suggests greater ostentation and overstatement [he bragged of what he would do in the race]; vaunt, a formal, literary term, implies greater suavity but more vainglory than eitherof the preceding [vaunt not in your triumph]; swagger suggests a proclaiming of one's superiority in an insolent or overbearing way; , crow2 suggests loud boasting in exultation or triumph [crowing over one's victory]
Derived forms
boaster (ˈboaster)
noun
boastingly (ˈboastingly)
adverb
Word origin
ME bosten < bost, n. < Anglo-Fr; prob. via Gmc *bausia- (cf. Norw baus, bold, haughty), ult. < IE *bhōu-, var. of base *bheu-, to grow, swell > be
boast in American English2
(boʊst)
verb transitive
to do preliminary shaping on (sculpture, stonework, etc.) with a broad chisel
Examples of 'boast' in a sentence
boast
Sharjah also boasts the first formally organised school.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And now he has got the chance to make his boasts come true.
The Sun (2016)
Part of this is down to his penchant for boasting about his morning run on social media.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Imagine being insecure enough to boast about that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The soon-to-be dad has changed his tune after boasting about his lack of qualifications.
The Sun (2016)
The bustling Italian metropolis also boasts incredible food, rich history and immense culture.
The Sun (2017)
I don't really want to tell her to get lost but listening to her boasting makes me feel really miserable.
The Sun (2016)
This tearoom may be small and unassuming but it has lots to boast about.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What other industry can boast this and make the world a better place?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We also boast some of the best comedy in the world.
The Sun (2010)
It may not be able to make the boast much longer.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It also boasts two sleek buffet restaurants which are shaded from the sun and wind.
The Sun (2009)
It was his proud boast that he could master any mechanical operation simply by studying how others did it.
Brian Thompson DEVASTATING EDEN: The Search for Utopia in America (2004)
And he boasts his side are often so dominant in matches that he does not need a shower afterwards.
The Sun (2013)
Added to that were the environmental constraints for a city that boasts of being the green capital of the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This one boasts more than 60 great festive songs.
The Sun (2013)
This was a city that boasted five-storey apartment blocks.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The city boasts that about 200,000 people will benefit.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The internet giant boasts of being one of the world's most ethical firms.
The Sun (2013)
And the city boasts 24 pistes for all standards of skier.
The Sun (2007)
On coming ashore their crews came across another English crew who boasted about their unusually high wages.
Jonathan Wright Ambassadors: From Ancient Greece to the Nation State (2006)
The two sides have been boasting of a new garden city, help for bingo halls and a fuel tax freeze.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The runaway Premier League leaders may boast a perfect domestic record.
The Sun (2015)
Britain may no longer boast the best wine waiter in the world but that is no reflection on the rest of us, according to experts.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
These guys don't brag and boast about who they are, they go in quiet and come out with the last laugh.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Quotations
A mule always boasts that its ancestors were horses
In other languages
boast
British English: boast /bəʊst/ VERB
If someone boasts about something that they have done or that they own, they talk about it very proudly, in a way that other people may find irritating or offensive.
He boasted about his new job.
American English: boast
Arabic: يَتَبَاهى
Brazilian Portuguese: gabar-se
Chinese: 自夸
Croatian: hvaliti se
Czech: vychloubat se
Danish: prale
Dutch: opscheppen pochen
European Spanish: alardear
Finnish: kerskailla
French: se vanter de
German: prahlen
Greek: καυχιέμαι
Italian: vantarsi
Japanese: 自慢する
Korean: 자랑하다
Norwegian: skryte
Polish: pochwalić się
European Portuguese: gabar-se
Romanian: a se lăuda
Russian: хвалить
Latin American Spanish: alardear
Swedish: skryta
Thai: พูดยกย่องตัวเองจนเกินไป
Turkish: böbürlenmek
Ukrainian: хизуватися
Vietnamese: khoe khoang
Chinese translation of 'boast'
boast
(bəust)
vi
to boast (about or of)说(說)(关(關)于(於)某事的)大话(話) (shuō (guānyú mǒushì de) dàhuà)
vt
(= possess, have) 夸耀 (kuāyào)
n(c)
自夸 (zìkuā) (种(種), zhǒng)
to boast that ... 夸(誇)耀说(說) ... (kuāyào shuō ... )
1 (verb)
Definition
to speak in excessively proud terms of one's possessions, talents, etc.
She boasted about her achievements.
Synonyms
brag
He'll probably go around bragging to his friends.
crow
Edwards is already crowing over his victory.
vaunt
bluster
He was still blustering, but there was panic in his eyes.
talk big (slang)
Politicians talk big about their plans for climate change.
blow your own trumpet
The camera crew have good reason to blow their own trumpets.
show off
He had been showing off at the poker table.
be proud of
flaunt
openly flaunting their wealth
showboat
congratulate yourself on
flatter yourself
pride yourself on
skite (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
swagger
It's bad manners to swagger about how rich you are.
swank (informal)
I never swank about the things I have been lucky enough to win.
Opposites
cover up
,
deprecate
,
disclaim
2 (verb)
Definition
to possess (something to be proud of)
The houses boast the latest energy-saving technology.
Synonyms
possess
offer
Western governments have offered aid.
present
We presented three options to the unions for discussion.
exhibit
Her work was exhibited in the best galleries in Europe.
1 (noun)
He was asked about earlier boasts of a quick victory.
Synonyms
bragging
vaunting
rodomontade (literary)
gasconade (rare)
Opposites
disclaimer
2 (noun)
Definition
something that is bragged about
Synonyms
source of pride
pride
This glittering dress is the pride of her collection.
joy
one of the joys of being a chef
treasure
Charlie? Oh he's a treasure, he's so kind.
gem
Castel Clara was a gem of a hotel.
pride and joy
proverb
A mule always boasts that its ancestors were horses