English Reference
Noun

boasting

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈboʊstɪŋ/ UK /bˈəʊstɪŋ/ boast·ing UK spelling boastings

n.the act of talking with too much pride about what you have done or what you own. People usually find this annoying because it sounds like you are trying to show off.

n.the act of speaking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.


SIMPLE

His constant boasting about his high salary annoyed his coworkers.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite her success, she avoided any boasting and preferred to let her results speak for themselves.

COMPLEX

The politician's speech was filled with empty boasting regarding economic growth, yet it failed to address the rising cost of living for the average citizen.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'about' or 'of'.

Pitfall
He is boasting his new car.He is boasting about his new car.

While the verb 'boast' can be transitive, the noun form and the common verbal usage usually require 'about' to link to the subject of pride.

Karlan Grant’s first goal for Charlton since rejoining on a free transfer from West Brom ensured that the south Londoners are the only side in the division still boasting a 100% record.

The Guardian· 29 Aug 2026

We must use a search engine to find out who his agent is because Virginia keeps getting good moves despite the 26-year-old boasting 23 league appearances in his career.

The Guardian· 27 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated