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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Boast Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：brag (boast)

boast 🔊

/boʊst/

n./v.

To talk about yourself or your possessions in a very proud way that annoys other people.

Illustration of a person boasting with exaggerated gestures and proud expression in a cafe.

brag 🔊

➕

/bɹæɡ/

n./v.

The act of speaking with excessive pride about oneself, one's achievements, or possessions, often to impress others.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'boast', meaning 'ostentation, brag', of uncertain earlier origin.

💡 Mnemonic

Link 'boast' to 'toast' at a party: imagine someone bragging loudly, making others want to roast them instead.

📖 Example

He loves to boast about how fast his new phone is, even though everyone already knows. 🔊 He frequently brags about the speed of his new phone, despite it being common knowledge.

🔗 Collocations

boast about – To brag concerning a particular subject.

boast that – To declare proudly using a clause.

proudly boast – To brag in an openly self-satisfied manner.

🔄 Synonyms

brag (v.) – To talk boastfully, similar to boast but often with a stronger negative connotation of arrogance.

show off () – To display abilities or possessions in order to impress others.

crow (v.) – To express gleeful or boastful triumph, especially over someone else's misfortune.

🚫 Antonyms

downplay (v.) – To make something seem less important or impressive.

be modest () – To behave or speak in a humble, unassuming way.

🌱 Derivatives

boaster (n.) – A person who boasts frequently.

boastful (adj.) – Showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English via Old French. Its ultimate origin is obscure, but it may be related to an older word for 'hump' or 'swelling', figuratively linking to an inflated sense of self-importance, a connection still felt in its meaning today.

Meaning 2：have (boast)

boast 🔊

/boʊst/

n./v.

To have or contain something that is very impressive or good.

Photorealistic image of a modern library building boasting impressive architecture and design.

have 🔊

➕

/hæv/

n./v.

To possess or contain a feature that is impressive and worthy of mention, often used in formal or descriptive contexts.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The new community park boasts a large playground and a beautiful flower garden. 🔊 The new community park has a large playground and a beautiful flower garden as its notable features.

🔗 Collocations

boasts – Used to state a place or thing's impressive features.

can boast – Is able to claim possession of something impressive.

is said to boast – Is reputed to have particular impressive features.

🔄 Synonyms

have (v.) – To possess or contain; a more general and neutral term.

feature (v.) – To have or include as a prominent part or characteristic.

possess (v.) – To have as belonging to one; own. More formal.

🚫 Antonyms

lack (v.) – To be without or deficient in.