boost

The word “boost” means something that helps increase or improve a person's effort, confidence, or performance. In plain terms, to lift, increase, or improve something — or a jump in confidence, performance, or sales.

“Boost” is pronounced boost (/buːst/ in IPA).

Here is “boost” used in a sentence: “Winning the small contract gave her confidence a huge boost.”

Depending on how it is used, “boost” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “boost” dates back to around 1815. Origin uncertain; the verb first appears in English around 1815, possibly related to an older Scots word meaning "to shove or push.".

“Boost” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Boost” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something that helps increase or improve a person's effort, confidence, or performance.

Praise from a manager can give an employee a boost, lifting their confidence and effort. Other examples include a coffee giving you an energy boost, good news boosting morale, or a discount boosting sales. In each case, the boost is the extra push that raises something upward.

An increase is simply something becoming greater in amount. A boost is a helpful push that causes improvement, usually with a positive, encouraging feel. A price increase can be unwelcome, but a "confidence boost" or "sales boost" suggests a welcome lift. Boosts help; increases just describe more of something.

Yes. "Boost" almost always carries a positive sense — it means help, improvement, or encouragement. A boost in morale, energy, or performance is something desirable. Even as a verb, "to boost" means to raise or improve. It is a naturally upbeat word suggesting that things are getting better.

People often speak of a confidence boost, a morale boost, an energy boost, and a sales or economic boost. In technology, a boost can mean extra power or signal strength. All share the same idea: an added lift that raises effort, performance, mood, or output above its previous level.