# boast

/ˈboʊst/ (US) · /bˈəʊst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/boast
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to brag

verb · CEFR B2

to talk with too much pride about your own qualities, possessions, or success.

For teachers: to speak with excessive pride or self-satisfaction about one's achievements or possessions. Often used with the prepositions 'about' or 'of'.

- He likes to boast about how much money he earns at his new job.
- While he didn't explicitly boast of his influence, he made sure to mention his close friendship with the prime minister several times during dinner.

Usage: Commonly followed by 'about' or 'of' when specifying the subject of the pride.

### 2. to possess a feature

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to have something impressive that you can be proud of.

For teachers: to possess a feature that is a source of pride or a distinct advantage. Transitive; the subject is typically a place or an organization rather than a person.

- The hotel boasts a beautiful view of the mountains from every room.
- The university boasts one of the most comprehensive research libraries in the country, attracting scholars from across the globe.

Teaching tip: In this sense, the word is usually positive and formal; it does not imply the 'arrogance' found in the first sense.

### 3. a brag

noun · CEFR B2

a statement in which you express too much pride in yourself.

For teachers: a statement or instance of expressive self-praise or bragging.

- It was no idle boast when she said she could run a marathon in under three hours.
- His claim to have never lost a case was dismissed by his colleagues as a characteristic boast rather than a statement of fact.

### 4. squash shot

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific type of shot in the game of squash where the ball hits a side wall first.

For teachers: a shot in which the ball is driven against a side wall before reaching the front wall.

- He won the point with a clever boast that caught his opponent off guard.
- The professional player utilised a deceptive three-wall boast to force his opponent into the front corner of the court.

## Examples

- He likes to boast about how much money he earns.
- The historic hotel boasts a rooftop garden with panoramic views of the entire city skyline.
- While the company's founders frequently boast of their humble beginnings, the current corporate culture reflects a much more aggressive and affluent reality.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.