Boast vs. Boost — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 15, 2024
Boast refers to talking with excessive pride about oneself, while boost means to increase or improve something.
Difference Between Boast and Boost
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Boast involves expressing excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements, often perceived as arrogant. Whereas, boost is about giving support or uplift to something, enhancing its value, strength, or effectiveness. People boast about their accomplishments to impress others, while they boost confidence, morale, or performance through encouragement or tangible support.
Boasting is subjective, focusing on personal qualities, achievements, or possessions. On the other hand, boosting is objective, aiming at improving or elevating someone or something's status, performance, or condition. For instance, someone might boast about their skills to gain recognition, while a motivational speech can boost an athlete's performance.
In social contexts, boasting might lead to negative perceptions, as it can be seen as lacking humility. Boosting, however, is generally viewed positively, as it involves helping or enhancing others or oneself without the connotation of ego. A boastful attitude can alienate, whereas a boost can inspire and uplift those around.
Boasting primarily serves the individual’s desire for attention and admiration, without offering direct benefits to others. Boosting, conversely, provides direct support, encouragement, or enhancement, offering tangible benefits to individuals or groups. Boasting about one's intelligence might seek admiration, while boosting someone’s confidence can lead to actual improvement in their abilities.
While boasting can be unidirectional and often isolates the boaster, boosting fosters a sense of community and support, encouraging mutual growth and positive outcomes. Boasting emphasizes the self, whereas boosting emphasizes the collective well-being or the improvement of another.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Talking with excessive pride
Increasing or improving something
Focus
Personal achievements
Support or enhancement
Perception
Often negative
Generally positive
Purpose
Self-aggrandizement
Improvement or support
Social Impact
Can alienate others
Fosters community and encouragement
Compare with Definitions
Boast
Prideful claim.
He would often boast about his travels around the world, claiming no country was left unvisited.
Boost
Increase performance.
The new software update significantly boosted the computer's speed.
Boast
Self-promotion.
In every meeting, he found an opportunity to boast about his contributions to the project.
Boost
Support growth.
Regular training sessions boosted employees' skills and productivity.
Boast
Exaggerate achievements.
She boasted that her recipe was the best in the family, despite many contesting its uniqueness.
Boost
Elevate status.
Their groundbreaking research boosted the university's ranking globally.
Boast
Seeking admiration.
He boasted about his academic achievements, hoping to impress his peers.
Boost
Improve morale.
The team leader's encouragement boosted everyone's confidence before the presentation.
Boast
Display of superiority.
They boasted of having the most advanced technology in the industry.
Boost
Enhance reputation.
The company's charitable actions boosted its image in the community.
Boast
To talk or write about oneself or something related to oneself in a proud or self-admiring way.
Boost
To raise or lift by pushing up from below.
Boast
To say (something about oneself) in a proud or self-admiring way.
Boost
To increase; raise
Boost prices.
Efforts to boost participation in the program.
Moved my wireless router away from obstructions in order to boost its signal.
Boast
To have or possess (a desirable feature)
A mall that boasts 80 shops.
Boost
To assist in further development or progress
A bill intended to boost local charities.
Boast
To shape or form (stone) roughly with a broad chisel.
Boost
To stir up enthusiasm for; promote vigorously
Boosted their school with rallies and fund drives.
Boast
The act or an instance of boasting
Got tired of listening to his boasts.
Boost
(Slang) To steal or rob, especially by shoplifting or pickpocketing.
Boast
A source of pride.
Boost
(Slang) To engage in stealing, especially shoplifting or pickpocketing.
Boast
A brag; ostentatious positive appraisal of oneself.
Boost
A push upward or ahead.
Boast
Something that one brags about.
It was his regular boast that he could eat two full English breakfasts in one sitting.
Boost
An encouraging act or comment.
Boast
(squash) A shot where the ball is driven off a side wall and then strikes the front wall.
Boost
An increase
A big boost in salary.
Boast
(intransitive) To brag; to talk loudly in praise of oneself.
Boost
A push from behind, as to one who is endeavoring to climb.
Boast
(transitive) To speak of with pride, vanity, or exultation, with a view to self-commendation; to extol.
Boost
Something that helps, or adds power or effectiveness; assistance.
Boast
(obsolete) To speak in exulting language of another; to glory; to exult.
Boost
(physics) A coordinate transformation that changes velocity.
Boast
(squash) To play a boast shot.
Boost
(automotive engineering) A positive intake manifold pressure in cars with turbochargers or superchargers.
Boast
(ergative) To possess something special (e.g. as a feature).
The hotel boasts one of the best views of the sea.
His family boasted a famous name.
Boost
(transitive) To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to climb); to push up.
Boast
To vaunt one's self; to brag; to say or tell things which are intended to give others a high opinion of one's self or of things belonging to one's self; as, to boast of one's exploits courage, descent, wealth.
By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: . . not of works, lest any man should boast.
Boost
To help or encourage (something) to increase or improve; to assist in overcoming obstacles.
This campaign will boost your chances of winning the election.
Boast
To speak in exulting language of another; to glory; to exult.
In God we boast all the day long.
Boost
To steal.
Boast
To display in ostentatious language; to speak of with pride, vanity, or exultation, with a view to self-commendation; to extol.
Lest bad men should boastTheir specious deeds.
Boost
To jump-start a vehicle by using cables to connect the battery in a running vehicle to the battery in a vehicle that won't start.
Boast
To display vaingloriously.
Boost
To give a booster shot to.
Boast
To possess or have; as, to boast a name.
Boast not thyself of to-morrow.
Boost
To amplify; to signal boost.
Boast
To dress, as a stone, with a broad chisel.
Boost
To lift or push from behind (one who is endeavoring to climb); to push up; hence, to assist in overcoming obstacles, or in making advancement.
Boast
To shape roughly as a preparation for the finer work to follow; to cut to the general form required.
Boost
A push from behind, as to one who is endeavoring to climb; help.
Boast
Act of boasting; vaunting or bragging.
Reason and morals? and where live they most,In Christian comfort, or in Stoic boast!
Boost
The act of giving hope or support to someone
Boast
The cause of boasting; occasion of pride or exultation, - sometimes of laudable pride or exultation.
The boast of historians.
Boost
An increase in cost;
They asked for a 10% rise in rates
Boast
Speaking of yourself in superlatives
Boost
The act of giving an upward push;
He gave her a boost over the fence
Boast
Show off
Boost
Increase;
The landlord hiked up the rents
Boast
Wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner;
She was sporting a new hat
Boost
Give a boost to; be beneficial to;
The tax cut will boost the economy
Boost
Contribute to the progress or growth of;
I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
Boost
Increase or raise;
Boost the voltage in an electrical circuit
Boost
Push or shove upward, as if from below or behind;
The singer had to be boosted onto the stage by a special contraption
Common Curiosities
How does boosting differ from boasting?
Boosting involves increasing or improving something, unlike boasting, which is about self-praise.
Can boasting be positive?
While boasting is generally seen as negative, it can be positive if it inspires or motivates others indirectly.
What does it mean to boast?
Boasting means talking about oneself or one's achievements with excessive pride.
What are examples of boosting someone's morale?
Compliments, recognition, and encouragement can boost someone's morale.
Can a boast also boost?
Indirectly, a boast can boost someone's determination to prove themselves or compete.
What are the risks of boasting?
Boasting can lead to negative perceptions, alienation, and can be seen as lacking humility.
Is boosting always intentional?
Boosting can be both intentional and unintentional, depending on the actions and their effects.
How can boosting affect a team's performance?
Boosting morale and confidence can significantly improve a team's performance and cohesion.
Why is boosting important in leadership?
Effective leadership often involves boosting others' confidence, skills, and morale to achieve collective goals.
How do cultural perceptions of boasting vary?
Cultural perceptions of boasting vary widely, with some cultures viewing it as more acceptable than others.
What are the consequences of excessive boasting?
Excessive boasting can lead to social isolation, mistrust, and can damage relationships.
How does social media impact boasting?
Social media can amplify boasting by providing a platform for individuals to highlight their achievements to a wide audience.
How can one boost without appearing insincere?
Genuine encouragement, specific compliments, and tangible support can boost others without appearing insincere.
Can boasting be a sign of insecurity?
Sometimes, boasting can be a defense mechanism to mask insecurities or shortcomings.
What is the difference between self-confidence and boasting?
Self-confidence is a secure belief in one's abilities, while boasting often involves exaggerating these abilities to others.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
