noun
boost
boost
noun
1
Something that helps increase or improve a person's effort, confidence, or performance.
"Winning the small contract gave her confidence a huge boost."
verb
1
To help increase or improve something.
"The discount was meant to boost sales before the holidays."
"A good night's sleep can boost your concentration the next day."
2
To start a vehicle with a dead battery using jumper cables (informal).
"Can you boost my car? The battery's completely flat."
How to Use Boost
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lift, increase, or improve something — or a jump in confidence, performance, or sales.
Common pairings
boost morale
boost sales
give a boost
confidence boost
Word Forms
boosted past tense, boosts plural, boosts singular
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Winning the small contract gave her confidence a huge _____.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; the verb first appears in English around 1815, possibly related to an older Scots word meaning "to shove or push."