bragger

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "bragger" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe someone who exaggerates and talks excessively about their own achievements or qualities. For example, "John was known as a bit of a bragger, always telling people about his latest accomplishments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"He was not a bragger, but he enjoyed talking to people about his coins.

The New York Times

The problem with the Humble Bragger is that she hesitates to brag directly, instead masking her pride in faux humility.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The saboteur: the Humble Bragger She's #blessed to have been granted a full scholarship, "grateful" (and "surprised!") to have been promoted, and feels #lucky – not proud – to have won a prestigious award.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She may not even be conscious of it, but the Humble Bragger knows that nobody likes a woman who boasts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

And now, feeding the Internet's insatiable need for the new, is another contender, swaggering and braggering that it is all things to all cartoons.

The New Yorker

Chuck is reminiscent of Dr. Tamkin, in Bellow's "Seize the Day," one of the noisy urban braggers, possibly a charlatan but mysteriously seductive.

The New Yorker

But the prevalence of social media has given us many more canvases on which to paint our faux humility — making us, in turn, increasingly sophisticated braggers.

The New York Times

Walter Krämer, the president of the society, articulated this point of view when he lambasted the Duden for including Anglicisms commonly used by "braggers" — what in previous generations might have been called yuppies.

The New York Times

The acclaimed US novelist Jonathan Franzen has likened Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, to one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse and claimed that the online retailer-publisher is decimating literary culture in favour of the "yakkers and tweeters and braggers".

The Guardian - Books

However, the medium has not won over everyone: founder of Profile Books Andrew Franklin said an "overwhelming majority" of self-published books "are terrible – unutterable rubbish" while author Jonathan Franzen said Amazon's self-publishing model favoured "yakkers and tweeters and braggers".

The Guardian - Books

He writes: "The work of yakkers and tweeters and braggers, and of people with the money to pay somebody to churn out hundreds of five-star reviews for them, will flourish in that world.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bragger" to describe someone who is excessively proud and vocal about their achievements. Ensure the context warrants a negative connotation of excessive boasting.

Common error

Avoid using "bragger" when simply describing someone confident or proud. The word carries a negative connotation of arrogance and exaggeration, so reserve it for situations where such behavior is evident.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bragger" is as a noun, referring to a person who boasts or brags excessively. It can also be used adjectivally in its comparative form, but its main use is to label someone with this characteristic, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bragger" is a noun used to describe someone who boasts excessively, carrying a negative connotation. While grammatically correct, its frequency is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "boaster" or "show-off" may be suitable depending on the intended nuance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is usable in written English, but should be employed judiciously, keeping in mind the inherent criticism it implies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boaster

A direct synonym, emphasizing the act of boasting.

braggart

Similar to "bragger", but slightly more formal.

show-off

Implies that the person is deliberately trying to impress others.

blowhard

Implies arrogance and inflated self-importance.

vainglorious person

Highlights excessive pride and vanity in one's accomplishments.

gasbag

Similar to windbag, suggesting empty and boastful talk.

windbag

Suggests that the person talks at length and often tiresomely about themselves.

bigmouth

Suggests that the person tends to talk about themselves without much awareness or consideration for the listener.

self-promoter

Focuses on the act of actively promoting oneself, often in a business context.

swaggerer

Highlights the confident and often arrogant way someone presents themselves.

FAQs

How can I use "bragger" in a sentence?

You can use "bragger" to describe someone who boasts excessively. For example, "He is such a "bragger", always exaggerating his accomplishments."

What's a suitable alternative to "bragger"?

Alternatives include "boaster", "show-off", or "braggart" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to call someone a "bragger" in a professional setting?

Calling someone a "bragger" is generally considered impolite and unprofessional due to its negative connotation. It's better to describe the behavior more objectively.

What's the difference between a "bragger" and someone who is simply confident?

A "bragger" typically exaggerates or embellishes their accomplishments, while a confident person expresses their abilities or achievements without excessive boasting.