boast
B2Neutral to slightly formal. Common in both speech and writing. Can be critical or neutral.
Definition
Meaning
To speak with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.
To possess or contain a feature or quality that is a source of pride; to have a desirable attribute.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has a dual nature: the primary negative sense ('vain talking') and a neutral, object-oriented sense ('containing' or 'having').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant syntactic or semantic difference. The object-oriented sense ('The town boasts a fine museum') is slightly more formal and equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be perceived as critical or negative in the UK, though this is subtle.
Frequency
The word is of similar, moderate frequency in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[sb] boasts about/of [sth][sb] boasts that clause[place/thing] boasts [sth] (possession)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Boast and brag”
- “Nothing to boast about (ordinary)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Often neutral: 'The software boasts advanced security features.' Also negative: 'The CEO boasted about record profits.'
Academic
Neutral, object-oriented use is common: 'The region boasts a unique ecosystem.'
Everyday
Often negative: 'He's always boasting about his new car.'
Technical
Rarely used, unless in promotional material: 'The processor boasts a 20% performance increase.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's always boasting about his son's marks at university.
- The village boasts a lovely 14th-century pub.
- She boasted that she had never lost a match.
American English
- He's always boasting about his kid's grades in college.
- The apartment boasts a stunning view of Central Park.
- He boasted that he could finish the project in a week.
adverb
British English
- He spoke boastfully of his connections.
- She very boastfully displayed her award.
American English
- He talked boastfully about his investment returns.
- She announced the news rather boastfully.
adjective
British English
- He was in a boastful mood after the promotion.
- Her boastful claims turned out to be false.
American English
- His boastful attitude annoyed his coworkers.
- The ad's boastful language didn't match the product's performance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My friend boasts about his new bicycle.
- She is boasting about her holiday.
- He often boasts that he is the best player on the team.
- The new shopping centre boasts over a hundred shops.
- Despite his tendency to boast, he is actually a very competent manager.
- The city boasts a rich cultural heritage and several world-class museums.
- The report's findings are nothing to boast about, given the substantial investment.
- Critics dismissed his speech as empty boasting, lacking concrete policy proposals.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOAT: someone who is always BOASTing is like a noisy boat horn, loudly announcing their presence and achievements.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOASTING IS PUFFING UP / BOASTING IS FILLING A CONTAINER WITH AIR (inflated ego, full of hot air).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'хвастаться' in neutral 'have' contexts; use 'have' or 'feature'.
- The Russian verb is almost always negative; English can be neutral ('boasts a park').
- Do not confuse with 'boost' (усиливать).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'boast on' (use 'about' or 'of').
- Using negative sense where neutral 'have' is better: 'The hotel boasts a swimming pool' is correct; 'The hotel has a swimming pool' is simpler.
- Overusing the word; synonyms can reduce repetition.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'boast' used in a neutral, non-negative sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its most common use is negative (talking too proudly), it has a neutral use meaning 'to have or contain' (e.g., 'The library boasts a first edition'). Context is key.
They are largely interchangeable. 'Boast about' is slightly more common in modern speech. 'Boast of' can sound slightly more formal or archaic ('He boasted of his lineage').
Yes, though less common. 'His claim was an empty boast.' It refers to the act or instance of boasting.
Use synonyms: for negative sense: 'brag', 'crow', 'show off'; for neutral sense: 'has', 'features', 'contains', 'can claim', 'is proud of'.