French word

vanter

Pronunciation

IPA/vɑ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbpraise

Example

Je vais vanter ses qualités.

I am going to praise his qualities.

Illustration for vanter (praise)

More examples

Elle a vanté les mérites de son collègue pendant la réunion.

She extolled her colleague's merits during the meeting.

Core concept

A person or thing is presented with its strengths highlighted, with the same act becoming self-praise when the speaker turns the spotlight on themself.

Common phrases

  • vanter les mérites

    extol the merits

  • vanter quelqu'un

    sing someone's praises

Similar words

louer: To praise someone or something by speaking about its merits or value.
complimenter: To briefly praise someone's appearance or an action in everyday conversation.
féliciter: To praise someone for achieving success or reaching a goal.
faire l'éloge de: To formally praise someone or something publicly for its good qualities.

Definition in French

Dire ou présenter positivement les qualités de quelqu'un ou de quelque chose; employé pronominal, signifier se vanter de soi.

Word origin

Vanter is an inherited French verb from Old French, ultimately linked to Latin vanitare, a verb associated with vanus, meaning empty or vain.

Usage tips

  • Vanter quelqu'un or quelque chose means to praise or promote it, but se vanter de soi-même means to boast and often has a negative tone.

Other meanings

  • promoteverb
  • boast about ___verb

Opposites

  • déprécierdisparageverb
  • critiquerfind fault withverb

Related words

  • vantardboasternoun
  • vantardiseself-praisenoun
  • vantélaudedadjective

Word lists with this word