vaunt

¹vaunt

verb \ˈvȯnt, ˈvänt\

Definition of VAUNT

intransitive verb

: to make a vain display of one's own worth or attainments : brag

transitive verb

: to call attention to pridefully and often boastfully <people who vaunt their ingenuity>

— vaunt·er noun

— vaunt·ing·ly \ˈvȯn-tiŋ-lē, ˈvän-\ adverb

Examples of VAUNT

1. <even the noblest of fellows have been known to vaunt a bit>

Origin of VAUNT

Middle English, from Anglo-French vanter, from Late Latin vanitare, frequentative of Latin *vanare, from vanus vain

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VAUNT

Synonyms

blow, brag, bull [slang], crow, gasconade, swagger, vapor, boast

Related Words

bluster, harangue, puff; pride; gush; exult, glory, rejoice; brandish, display, exhibit, expose, flaunt, glorify, parade, show off; magnify, maximize

Near Antonyms

belittle, deprecate, diminish, discount, laugh off, minimize, play down, pooh-pooh (also pooh), shrug off, underrate, undervalue; bemoan, lament, mourn, regret

See Synonym Discussion at boast

Rhymes with VAUNT

aunt, daunt, flaunt, font, fount, gaunt, taunt, want, wont

²vaunt

noun

Definition of VAUNT

1

: a vainglorious display of what one is or has or has done

2

: a bragging assertive statement

First Known Use of VAUNT

14th century