gloating: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, often negative
Quick answer
What does “gloating” mean?
The act of feeling or showing great pleasure or smugness, typically at one's own success or another's misfortune.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of feeling or showing great pleasure or smugness, typically at one's own success or another's misfortune.
Obsessing with self-satisfied delight; dwelling on a triumph or an advantage in a way that is ungenerous or unkind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Equally negative in both dialects, implying a lack of grace or sportsmanship.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “gloating” in a Sentence
[Subject] + was/were gloating + over/about + [Object (triumph/misfortune)][Subject] + with + gloating + [Noun Phrase]The + gloating + of + [Possessor]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gloating” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He spent the whole evening gloating over his exam results.
- She's been gloating about her promotion since Tuesday.
American English
- He couldn't stop gloating about his team's Super Bowl win.
- Stop gloating over my mistake!
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in formal reports; used in informal commentary to describe a competitor's or colleague's unbecoming satisfaction. e.g., 'There was too much internal gloating after we won the contract.'
Academic
Seldom used in core academic prose; appears in literary criticism, psychology, or political science to analyze character or behavior.
Everyday
Common in descriptions of personal rivalries, sports, politics, and minor victories. e.g., 'I hate the gloating from my brother after he wins at chess.'
Technical
Not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gloating”
- Using it as a positive term (e.g., 'I'm gloating over my promotion!' sounds ungracious). Confusing it with 'celebrating,' which is neutral or positive. Incorrect preposition: 'gloating for' instead of 'gloating over/about'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, almost without exception. It describes an excessive, selfish, or ungenerous pleasure. Neutral alternatives are 'celebrating' or 'relishing.'
Boasting is verbal—talking proudly about yourself. Gloating is the feeling or expression of smug satisfaction, which can be silent (a smile, a look) and is often focused on a specific triumph or another's failure.
Yes. The present participle/gerund 'gloating' functions as a noun (e.g., 'His gloating was annoying'). The base form 'gloat' is the verb.
'Over' and 'about' are the standard prepositions (e.g., 'gloat over his failure,' 'gloat about her success').
The act of feeling or showing great pleasure or smugness, typically at one's own success or another's misfortune.
Gloating is usually informal, often negative in register.
Gloating: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡləʊtɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡloʊtɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Gloat over someone's grave (extreme, metaphorical)”
- “To rub someone's nose in it (colloquial equivalent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) who is constantly LOATHEd for their boastfulness. GLOATing = a GOAT being hated for showing off.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLEASURE IS A LIQUID ONE WALLOWS IN (e.g., 'wallowing in his victory'), SUCCESS IS FOOD TO BE SAVORED (e.g., 'savoring his rival's defeat').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'gloating' be LEAST appropriate?