brag

Ret's Word of the Day

brag

/bræɡ/

(Pronounced: brag)
🔊 Hear it on YouGlish

Definition

Meaning: Brag means to talk about yourself, your achievements, or your possessions in a way that shows too much pride.

Signification: Ce verbe signifie parler de soi, de ses réussites ou de ses possessions avec beaucoup de fierté, parfois de manière excessive.

Note: While bragging can sometimes be playful or humorous, it often comes across as arrogant or boastful.

Word Analysis

French synonyms
» Se vanter
» Crâner
» Fanfaronner
» Se targuer
» Parader

Exemple: "Il se vante toujours de ses succès."

English synonyms
» Boast
» Show off
» Gloat
» Crow
» Flaunt

Example: "She loves to brag about her latest accomplishments."
    

Example Dialogue

Lerato: "Did you hear about Kabelo’s promotion at work?"
Mpho: "Yes, I heard! He’s been telling everyone about it."
Lerato: "I know, he loves to brag about his achievements."
Mpho: "Well, I guess he’s proud of himself, but it can get a bit much sometimes."
    

Etymology

Origin: The verb brag dates back to the 14th century, with roots in Middle English braggen, meaning "to make a loud noise" or "boast." It is possibly related to Old Norse bragr, referring to poetry or eloquence, and to the act of showing off through words. Over time, it has come to describe excessive pride expressed in speech.

Audience

The verb "brag" is widely recognised among English speakers and is frequently used in informal and conversational contexts. It may carry a negative connotation, depending on the tone and situation.

When to use: You can use "brag" to describe someone who talks excessively about their achievements, possessions, or qualities in a way that might seem boastful. It works well in storytelling, character descriptions, or casual conversations to highlight prideful behavior.

Dictionary Meaning

Here's an official definition of brag by The Cambridge Dictionary

The Cambridge Dictionary says that it means "to speak too proudly about what you have done or what you own." Then it drops two example sentences, one of which is: She's always bragging about how much money she earns.

News Snippet

"Doctors are livid but the traditional healers say they are “talking nonsense”.

I laughed out loud when the leader of the Lesotho Traditional Medical Practitioners Association, Malefetsane Lepheana, bragged that he even had a stethoscope.

Where is this Kingdom going?"

Read the full article at Lesotho Times

Extra! Extra!

For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day, to brag about, watch the following videos.

Video Lesson One

Video Lesson Two

WordReference

When exploring the nuances of words, sometimes dictionaries don't provide enough context. The WordReference Forums offer insightful discussions that delve into the subtleties of language, including idiomatic expressions, usage nuances, and translations across languages.

Here are some quick links to help you navigate WordReference for deeper understanding:

» Read about today's word of the day.
» English⇄English–Discuss and learn about words and their usage.
» English⇄French–Explore translations and linguistic nuances
» Synonyms⇄Antonyms–Contextual variations, etc.

Common Idioms and Expressions

Blow your own trumpet: Talk proudly about your achievements or abilities.

Example: He loves to blow his own trumpet whenever he gets the chance.

Toot your own horn: Brag about your own accomplishments.

Example: Stop tooting your own horn and let others decide how good you are.

Full of yourself: Be overly self-confident or boastful.

Example: He's so full of himself, always talking about his successes.

Show off: Act in a way intended to attract admiration or attention.

Example: She always shows off when she gets a chance to talk about her new car.

Have a big head: Be overly proud or arrogant.

Example: Ever since he got that award, he's had such a big head.

Bragging rights: A justification for feeling proud or boasting.

Example: Winning the competition gave her bragging rights for the rest of the year.

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