boast

¹boast

noun \ˈbōst\

Definition of BOAST

1

: the act or an instance of boasting : brag

2

: a cause for pride

— boast·ful \ˈbōst-fəl\ adjective

— boast·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— boast·ful·ness noun

Examples of BOAST

1. When he says he's the richest man in town, he's not just making an idle boast.
2. We were offended by his boast that he would easily beat us.
3. The museum's proudest boast is its collection of rare gems.

Origin of BOAST

Middle English boost

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BOAST

Synonyms

glory, credit, crown jewel, honor, jewel, pride, treasure, trophy

Related Words

pièce de résistance, showpiece; attraction, feature, highlight; distinction, excellence, merit, value, virtue

Near Antonyms

disgrace, dishonor; blemish, blot, defect, shame, slur, smirch, smudge, stain, stigma; eyesore, fright, horror, mess

Rhymes with BOAST

coast, ghost, host, most, oast, post, roast, toast

²boast

verb

Definition of BOAST

intransitive verb

1

: to puff oneself up in speech : speak vaingloriously

2

archaic : glory, exult

transitive verb

1

: to speak of or assert with excessive pride

2

a : to possess and often call attention to (something that is a source of pride) <boasts a new stadium>

b : have, contain <a room boasting no more than a desk and a chair>

— boast·er noun

First Known Use of BOAST

14th century

Synonym Discussion of BOAST

boast, brag, vaunt, crow mean to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments. boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration <boasts of every trivial success>, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride <the town boasts one of the best museums in the area>. brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself <bragging of their exploits>. vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag <vaunted his country's military might>. crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging <crowed after winning the championship>.

³boast

transitive verb

Definition of BOAST

: to shape (stone) roughly in sculpture and stonecutting as a preliminary to finer work

Origin of BOAST

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1823

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato