English Dictionary |
BOASTFUL
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Dictionary entry overview: What does boastful mean?
• BOASTFUL (adjective)
The adjective BOASTFUL has 1 sense:
Familiarity information: BOASTFUL used as an adjective is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Exhibiting self-importance
Synonyms:
big; boastful; braggart; bragging; braggy; cock-a-hoop; crowing; self-aggrandising; self-aggrandizing
Context example:
big talk
Similar:
proud (feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride)
Derivation:
boastfulness (outspoken conceit)
Context examples
"I was," Jim went on with a boastful, nervous giggle.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
It was brought about by a conversation in the Eldorado Saloon, in which men waxed boastful of their favorite dogs.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
I knew he was certain to say something of this kind; he always would be so boastful about his difficulties.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
A hearty kissing I got for a welcome, and some boastful triumph, which I swallowed as well as I could.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
And he repeated her words with such assurance of accent, such boastful pretence of amazement, that she could not help replying with quickness, Mr. Elton, this is the most extraordinary conduct! and I can account for it only in one way; you are not yourself, or you could not speak either to me, or of Harriet, in such a manner.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Fun and pleasure are located below the navel; dispute and trouble are also located there." (Bhutanese proverb)
"A monkey that amuses me is better than a deer astray." (Arabic proverb)
"Speaking is silver, being silent is gold." (Dutch proverb)