vaunt n : extravagant self-praise v : show off [syn: boast, tout, swash, shoot a line, brag, gas, blow, bluster, gasconade]

English

Etymology

From vanter from vanus.

Pronunciation

• a RP /vɔːnt/, /vO:nt/
• a US /vɑːnt/|/vɔːnt/
• Rhymes with: -ɔːnt

Verb

1. To speak boastfully.
   • 1829 — Washington Irving, Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada, chapter XC

     ''"The number," said he, "is great, but what can be expected from mere citizen soldiers? They vaunt and menace in time of safety; none are so arrogant when the enemy is at a distance; but when the din of war thunders at the gates they hide themselves in terror."''

Synonyms

• sense speak boastfully boast, brag

Translations

• Polish: szczycić się, chlubić się

Noun

1. A boast; an instance of vaunting.
   • 1904 — G. K. Chesterton, The Napoleon of Notting Hill, Book II, chapter III

     He has answered me back, vaunt for vaunt, rhetoric for rhetoric.

• Symbel, the Germanic custom of ritual drinking
• Self-esteem
• Hubris
• human (primate) display and mating behaviour
• Dominance (biology)
• Alpha male
• Tall tale
• One-upmanship
• Windbag the Sailor
• Self-promotion
• Puffery
• Conceit

See also

• Bragi#Modern invention
• Windbag the Sailor

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