Bragger Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bragger

[ˈbræɡər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in a conversation

A person who boasts about their achievements or possessions, often irritatingly.

Synonyms

boaster, egotist, show off.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bragger	Used to describe someone who frequently talks about their achievements or possessions in an exaggerated way, often seen as annoying. Tom is such a bragger; he won't stop talking about his car. Being a bragger can make people dislike you.
boaster	Refers to someone who talks with excessive pride about their accomplishments or capabilities. It can be slightly more neutral than 'bragger' but still usually negative. She is a boaster, always sharing her awards. Nobody likes a boaster at the party.
egotist	Describes someone who is excessively self-absorbed and always speaks highly of themselves, often disregarding others. It has a negative connotation. As an egotist, he never listens to other people's opinions. Egotists often struggle in team environments.
show off	A more casual term for someone who tries to impress others by displaying their abilities or possessions. It’s often used in informal settings. Stop being such a show off and just play the game. He's always a show off when he gets new gadgets.

Examples of usage

He's such a bragger, always talking about how much money he makes.
Don't be a bragger, nobody likes a show off.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

in a social setting

To talk about one's achievements or possessions in a boastful way.

Synonyms

boast, show off, swagger.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bragger	Refers to a person who often boasts. It generally has a negative connotation. He's such a bragger; he keeps telling everyone about his promotion. Nobody likes a bragger.
boast	Typically used to talk about someone talking with excessive pride about their achievements or possessions, but can be used in a neutral or even positive context. He likes to boast about his new car. She boasted that she had the highest grades in the class.
show off	It involves demonstrating abilities, achievements, or possessions in a way that seeks to impress others, often seen negatively. Stop trying to show off and just do your work. He's always showing off at the gym.
swagger	Refers to a confident, sometimes arrogant, manner of walking or behavior. It often has a stylish or bold connotation. He walked into the room with a lot of swagger. Her swagger on the basketball court is unbeatable.

Examples of usage

She was bragging about her new car all night.
Stop bragging and just be humble.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Bragging is often linked to self-esteem issues; some people might seem overly boastful to compensate for insecurities.
Social psychologists found that people sometimes brag as a way to gain social approval and build connections with others.
Interestingly, research shows that bragging can backfire, as listeners often feel annoyed or distrustful of boastful individuals.

Pop Culture

Many popular songs, such as 'I’m So Fancy', celebrate confidence, with lyrics that boast about success and lifestyle.
Reality TV shows often feature characters who brag about their wealth or lifestyle, creating entertaining yet controversial content.
In literature, characters who brag tend to attract both admiration and skepticism, adding depth to their personalities.

Literature

Bragging is often used as a character trait in novels and stories to highlight either confidence or hubris, fostering conflict.
Classic literature often explores themes of pride versus humility, where braggart characters face consequences for their boasting.
In Shakespearean plays, characters like Falstaff embody the archetype of the bragger, mixing humor with criticism of boastfulness.

Sociolinguistics

Bragging can vary across cultures; in some societies, it’s seen as a form of social bonding, while in others, it’s frowned upon.
Language plays a key role in how bragging is perceived; the words chosen can amplify or diminish the effect of the boast.
The use of hyperbolic language (exaggeration) is common in bragging, making achievements sound even more impressive.

Origin of 'bragger'

Main points about word origin

The word 'bragger' comes from the Middle English 'braggen', which means to boast or show off.
The first use of 'bragger' in print dates back to the early 1500s.
The term is closely related to 'brag', suggesting a long-standing tradition of boasting in the English language.

The word 'bragger' originated from the Old Norse 'bragð', meaning 'a movement' or 'a sudden jerk'. Over time, the word evolved to refer to someone who makes sudden movements in speech to boast about themselves. The negative connotation of the word developed in the 18th century, when it came to be associated with arrogance and self-importance.

See also: brag, braggart, bragging, braggingly, braggy.