Word
boosting
Phoneticsboost·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbustɪŋ/
UK/bˈuːstɪŋ/
Definitions
01improving or increasing
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. making something better, stronger, or more successful.
v. the act of increasing, augmenting, or improving the performance or status of something.
“The company is boosting its advertising budget to attract more customers this summer.”
“By boosting the signal strength across the rural network, the provider significantly reduced the number of dropped calls during peak hours.”
Usage
Often used with abstract nouns like 'morale', 'confidence', or 'economy'.
Synonyms
02an improvement or lift
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the process of giving something a push or an increase.
n. the action or process of providing an increase or improvement.
“The boosting of the minimum wage helped many families pay their bills.”
“The systematic boosting of the brand's social media presence led to a measurable rise in organic web traffic over the fiscal quarter.”
03shoplifting
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Slang · American English
n. stealing goods from a store to sell them later.
n. the act of stealing retail merchandise, often for the purpose of resale.
“He got caught boosting clothes from the mall and had to talk to the police.”
“The security team was specifically trained to identify professional boosting operations that targeted high-end designer boutiques.”
Teaching tip
This is a specific American slang term; in most everyday contexts, 'shoplifting' is the standard term used by learners.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“LIV's format has been based on boosting entertainment within golf, yet the Indianapolis event will no longer feature its weekend live music sets.” “When governments change the rules and stop boosting investors, housing costs go down.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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