boost

boost — verb

1. to help something move to a higher level, or make it stronger, more effective, o

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to help something move to a higher level, or make it stronger, more effective, or more likely to succeed

Example

Extra buses helped boost weekend sales at the night market.

boost + sales

The coach's calm talk boosted the players' confidence before the final.

boost + confidence

Common collocations
  • boost sales
  • boost confidence
  • boost morale
  • boost tourism
  • boost production
  • boost the economy
Synonyms
  • increase

    the broad neutral choice, often for numbers or amount

  • improve

    focuses more on making quality better than on raising level

  • strengthen

    stresses making something more solid, effective, or powerful

  • raise

    common for levels, rates, prices, and amounts

Antonyms
  • reduce

    make the level or amount lower

  • weaken

    make something less strong or less effective

Grammar Patterns

boost + noun

boost + confidence/morale/sales

boost + business/economy/tourism

Usage Note

Object is usually something that can rise or grow, such as sales, confidence, safety, tourism, or production. Distinguish from verb/2: this sense is about improving results or strength, not giving a vaccine dose.

Common Mistakes

The new poster boosted to sell more tickets.
The new poster boosted ticket sales.
'boost' normally takes a direct noun object, not 'to + verb'.

2. to give a person or animal an extra vaccine dose that renews or strengthens prot

2.verbtransitive
Definition

to give a person or animal an extra vaccine dose that renews or strengthens protection

Example

Clinic nurses boosted older residents before winter flu season.

boost + somebody

All hospital staff were boosted against measles last month.

passive: be boosted against + illness

Common collocations
  • get boosted
  • be boosted against flu
  • boost older residents
  • boost children before school
Synonyms
  • vaccinate

    broader word that can mean any vaccine dose, not specifically an extra one

  • give a booster

    common everyday phrase for the same medical action

Grammar Patterns

boost + somebody

be boosted against + illness

get boosted before + event or trip

Usage Note

Often appears in the passive or in the pattern get boosted. The object is the person or animal receiving the extra dose, and against usually names the disease.

Common Mistakes

I boosted against flu yesterday.
I got boosted against flu yesterday.
this sense usually needs an object, or it appears in the passive.

boost — noun

Word family

  • booster
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For verb/1, these words all describe making something better or higher, but they point in slightly different directions. 'Boost' often suggests giving extra help that causes a noticeable rise, especially in sales, confidence, energy, or tourism. 'Increase' is the broad neutral word for numbers, amount, or size. 'Improve' focuses on quality rather than level. 'Raise' is especially common for prices, rates, salaries, and standards. 'Strengthen' stresses making something more solid, safe, or effective, such as a team, rule, or relationship. You can boost ticket sales with a social-media post, increase production by adding workers, improve service through training, raise bus fares next year, or strengthen safety with brighter street lights.

boost ↗increase ↗improve ↗raise ↗strengthen ↗

Etymology

English

Boost appeared in American English in the early 1800s, and its deeper origin is uncertain. The earliest meaning was a physical one: pushing someone or something upward from below. From that image, English later developed the common figurative sense of helping numbers, confidence, business, or success go higher. The noun grew from the verb and first referred to an upward push before it also came to mean extra help or encouragement.