Cool MateBoast vs Pride
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Boast
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Pride
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most common: Pride
| Boast | Pride | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/bəʊst/","/bəʊsts/","/ˈbəʊstɪd/","/ˈbəʊstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/bəʊst/","/bəʊsts/","/ˈbəʊstɪd/","/ˈbəʊstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/praɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/praɪd/"]/ |
| Meaning | To talk proudly about something you have done or own. | A feeling of happiness about yourself or someone you care about. |
| Example | I don't want to boast, but I can actually speak six languages. | She felt a deep sense of pride after completing the marathon. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | openly, about, of, proudly | fierce, great, justifiable, feel, have, swell with, with pride, pride in, a cause for pride, a matter for pride, a source of pride, great, family, masculine, have, hurt, wound, out of pride, through pride, a matter of pride, a sense of pride, with your pride intact |
| Antonyms | humble, deprecate | shame, humility |
| Common mistakes | Using 'boast' without an object, like 'I boast.', Confusing with 'brag', which often sounds more negative., Incorrectly conjugating the verb, like 'boasted' instead of 'boast if speaking in present. | Confused with 'prideful' vs 'proud', Using as a verb incorrectly, e.g., 'I pride to be a teacher', Mixing up 'pride' with 'arrogance' |
| Usage notes | Use 'boast' when talking about achievements or possessions in a confident way. It's generally neutral but can feel negative if overused or in contexts where humility is preferred. | Used when someone feels good about their achievements or qualities. Avoid in context where humility is more appropriate; pride can be seen as negative in some cultures. |
Frequently asked questions: Boast vs Pride
What's the difference between Boast and Pride?
Boast: To talk proudly about something you have done or own. Pride: A feeling of happiness about yourself or someone you care about.
Which is more common: Boast and Pride?
Pride is the most common in everyday English.
Are Boast and Pride the same CEFR level?
Boast: C1, Pride: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Boast and Pride interchangeably?
Not always. Boast and Pride are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.