First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1vaunt
verb \ˈvȯnt, ˈvänt\
Definition of VAUNT
intransitive verb
: to make a vain display of one's own worth or attainments : brag
transitive verb
: to call attention to pridefully and often boastfully <people who vaunt their ingenuity>
— vaunt·er noun
— vaunt·ing·ly \ˈvȯn-tiŋ-lē, ˈvän-\ adverb
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Origin of VAUNT
Middle English, from Anglo-French vanter, from Late Latin vanitare, frequentative of Latin *vanare, from vanus vain
Synonym Discussion of VAUNT
boast, brag, vaunt, crow mean to express pride in oneself or one's accomplishments. boast often suggests ostentation and exaggeration <boasts of every trivial success>, but it may imply a claiming with proper and justifiable pride <the town boasts one of the best museums in the area>. brag suggests crudity and artlessness in glorifying oneself <bragging of their exploits>. vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less crudity or naïveté than brag <vaunted his country's military might>. crow usually implies exultant boasting or bragging <crowed after winning the championship>.
2vaunt
noun
Definition of VAUNT
1
: a vainglorious display of what one is or has or has done
2
: a bragging assertive statement
First Known Use of VAUNT
14th century
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