# boasting

/ˈboʊstɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈəʊstɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/boasting
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

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

## Examples

- His constant boasting about his high salary annoyed his coworkers.
- Despite her success, she avoided any boasting and preferred to let her results speak for themselves.
- 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is boasting his new car." but "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.

## Usage notes

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

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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.