brag
brag
Brag (verb) means to talk about your own achievements, possessions, or abilities with excessive pride. Example: “He never misses a chance to brag about his new car.”
verb
1
To talk about your own achievements, possessions, or abilities with excessive pride.
"He never misses a chance to brag about his new car."
"She bragged for an hour about her holiday without asking anyone else a single question."
How to use brag
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo boast, usually in a way that comes across as arrogant or self-important.
Common mistake
Brag is generally negative or self-important in tone; "boast" can sometimes be used more neutrally, as in "the town boasts a fine cathedral."
Common pairings
brag about
brag rights
nothing to brag about
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- brags
- Past tense
- bragged
- Comparative
- bragger, more brag
- Superlative
- braggest, most brag
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He never misses a chance to _____ about his new car.
Etymology
From Middle English braggen ("to speak boastfully"), of uncertain origin, possibly linked to an Old Norse word meaning "best" or "foremost."
Related words
Rhymes for brag
See all rhymes for brag →Frequently asked questions
What does “brag” mean?
The word “brag” means to talk about your own achievements, possessions, or abilities with excessive pride. In plain terms, to boast, usually in a way that comes across as arrogant or self-important.
How do you pronounce “brag”?
“Brag” is pronounced brag (/bɹæɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “brag” in a sentence?
Here is “brag” used in a sentence: “He never misses a chance to brag about his new car.”
What part of speech is “brag”?
“Brag” is a verb.
Where does the word “brag” come from?
The word “brag” comes from Middle English. From Middle English braggen ("to speak boastfully"), of uncertain origin, possibly linked to an Old Norse word meaning "best" or "foremost.".
Is “brag” a common word?
“Brag” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
