bombast — high-sounding but with little meaning; pretentious inflated speech or writing
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: high-sounding but with little meaning; pretentious inflated speech or writing
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbɑːmbæst/
Example Sentences
- His graduation speech was pure bombast - lots of fancy words but zero wisdom.
- The CEO's annual report was criticized for its bombast and lack of concrete plans.
- Instead of bombast, voters want honest and straightforward communication.
bombast
NOUN[/ˈbɑːmbæst/]
high-sounding but with little meaning; pretentious inflated speech or writing
The senator's speech was pure bombast — loud words, empty meaning.
The boy rescued a kitten, but his bombast turned the simple rescue into an epic battle.
Wearing a cheap plastic crown, his bombastic speech was pure bombast about ruling the world.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Italian 'bombace' meaning cotton or cotton padding, which came from Late Latin 'bombax'. The word was originally used to describe padding material, then metaphorically applied to inflated, padded speech lacking substance.
Breakdown
bombast (noun): From Italian bombace (cotton padding) + -ast (one who practices or is characterized by) = bombast (inflated, padded speech)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“His graduation speech was pure bombast - lots of fancy words but zero wisdom.”
“The CEO's annual report was criticized for its bombast and lack of concrete plans.”
“Instead of bombast, voters want honest and straightforward communication.”
“The movie critic dismissed the director's pretentious bombast in interviews.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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