bombast: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Critical
Quick answer
What does “bombast” mean?
High-sounding or pompous language that is often meaningless or exaggerated, used to impress others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
High-sounding or pompous language that is often meaningless or exaggerated, used to impress others.
Can refer to any inflated, pretentious, or overly ornate style of speech or writing. In historical textiles, it referred to cotton wadding used for padding.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The historical textile meaning ('padding') is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical negative connotation of pretentious emptiness.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK literary and political commentary, but it is a low-frequency, learned word in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “bombast” in a Sentence
be + bombastfull of + bombastindulge in + bombastcut through + bombastdismiss as + bombastVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bombast” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Obsolete/rare) To pad or stuff; (figuratively) to inflate language.
American English
- (Obsolete/rare) He bombasted his speech with unnecessary jargon.
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare/non-standard) He spoke bombastically about his achievements.
American English
- (Extremely rare/non-standard) The announcement was made bombastically.
adjective
British English
- The bombastic orator droned on for an hour. (Note: 'bombastic' is the standard adjective.)
American English
- We grew tired of his bombastic claims. (Note: 'bombastic' is the standard adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Used critically: 'The CEO's annual speech was dismissed as corporate bombast.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, political science, and rhetoric to analyse style.
Everyday
Very rare. Would be used by highly educated speakers in critical discussion.
Technical
Not applicable in STEM. Historical term in textiles for padding.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bombast”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bombast”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bombast”
- Confusing it with 'bombard'. Using it as a positive term (e.g., 'His eloquent bombast'). Misspelling as 'bombast*ic*' when using the noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern usage it is exclusively critical, describing language that is pretentiously grandiose and empty of real substance.
'Rhetoric' is the neutral art of persuasive speaking/writing. 'Bombast' is a negative subset of rhetoric—specifically the kind that is overblown and insubstantial.
Historically, yes, meaning 'to pad or stuff'. In modern English, it is virtually never used as a verb. The adjective 'bombastic' and the noun 'bombast' are standard.
'Fustian' or 'turgidity' are close synonyms, also implying inflated, pretentious style.
High-sounding or pompous language that is often meaningless or exaggerated, used to impress others.
Bombast is usually formal, literary, critical in register.
Bombast: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒm.bæst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːm.bæst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All bombast and no substance.”
- “To be full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOMB that makes a BIG, impressive BLAST of sound (BAST), but is ultimately empty and destructive to clear communication.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS CLOTHING/PADDING (bombast is 'padded' language). SOUND IS SUBSTANCE (but here, falsely so).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST definition of 'bombast'?