What does vaunting mean?
Vaunting means boasting in a conspicuous, self-aggrandizing way, and it can describe a person, attitude, claim, or ambition. The word is more sharply critical than simply proud: a proud person may celebrate an achievement, whereas a vaunting person displays that pride as a claim to superiority and often invites skepticism. In literary and formal English, it identifies inflated self-presentation rather than ordinary confidence or pride. The word can function as an adjective or as the present participle of the verb vaunt, naming the act of boasting itself. Although uncommon in everyday neutral speech, it is useful in criticism and literary description because of its precise suggestion of excess, display, and underlying insecurity.
Boastful or ostentatious, especially in a way that displays pride, ambition, or a claim to superiority.
"The defeated champion remained silent rather than making vaunting claims about his former career."
Commonly critical or literary in tone.
Boasting or making extravagant, conspicuous claims.
"He spent the afternoon vaunting his achievements to anyone who would listen."
Used as the present participle of vaunt and chiefly found in formal or literary contexts.
Vaunting ultimately grows from Latin vanitas, meaning emptiness—so its grand claims contain their own quiet contradiction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vaunting come from?
Vaunting is the present participle of vaunt, a word that entered English from Old French vanter, meaning to talk boastfully. This developed through Medieval Latin vanitare, derived from Latin vanitas, meaning emptiness or vanity; vanitas in turn comes from vanus, meaning empty or vain. The lineage links vaunt with related English words such as vain and vanity.
Related word forms
How vaunting is actually used
The word is chiefly literary, formal, and derogatory. It is stronger and more critical than merely 'proud' and is less common in everyday neutral speech.
Easily confused with vaunting
Vaunting means boasting or displaying ostentatious pride, whereas vaulting means leaping over or arching above something.