Bombastic

Practice This Word

Pompous, inflated, and showy in language or style, often with little real substance.

adjective

Bombastic

Pompous, inflated, and showy in language or style, often with little real substance.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine a politician at a rally delivering a speech filled with grandiose adjectives and vivid metaphors, but when pressed for specifics, they can’t provide concrete details.

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Sounds Like

bom-BAS-tik

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Looks Like

resembles 'bombast' with the -ic suffix (visual cue that it relates to padding or inflated language)

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Remember This

Bom-bast originally referred to padding or stuffing used in clothing; bombastic language uses that padding to sound impressive.

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Other Forms

bombastnoun

bombasticallyadverb

bombasticitynoun

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Connect With

pompous, grandiose, inflated, grandiloquent, pretentious

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Note

Negative connotation. Use to critique language that is overly showy and insubstantial. Do not misuse for genuine enthusiasm or powerful emotion.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The candidate's bombastic speech impressed the crowd but offered few concrete policies.
Her article was criticized for its bombastic prose that added flair but little meaning.

Synonyms

pompousgrandiosepretentiousinflatedhigh-sounding

Antonyms

humbleunpretentioussincere

Etymology

From bombast, meaning padding or stuffing used in clothing; the sense extended to inflated or overbearing language. First used in English in the 16th century.

Mnemonic

Mnemonic: Boast + ic — remember that bombastic language is basically boastful padding that sounds impressive but is insubstantial.