spell gloat

Meanings

1. 1phrasephrasal verb

   To write or say the letters of the word 'gloat' in the correct order.

   Grammar: Used with 'gloat' as the object: spell 'gloat'.

   Patterns

   • spell 'gloat'
   • spell gloat correctly

   Can you spell gloat? It has a silent 'o' sound.

   The student had to spell gloat in the spelling bee.

   I always spell gloat with 'oa', not 'oe'.

2. 2verbintransitivedisapproving

   To show that you are happy about your own success or someone else's failure, in an annoying way.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'over' or 'about': gloat over a victory.

   Patterns

   • gloat over something
   • gloat about something
   • gloat at someone

   He gloated over his rival's mistake.

   Don't gloat about winning; it's not kind.

   She gloated at the team that lost to her.

Word forms

Common combinations

spell gloat

The teacher asked him to spell gloat.

gloat over a victory

The champions gloated over their easy win.

gloat about success

He likes to gloat about his exam results.

gloat at someone

She gloated at her opponent after the match.

Synonyms and how they differ

boast

Means to talk proudly about yourself; 'gloat' focuses more on enjoying someone else's failure.

revel

Means to enjoy something very much; it can be positive, while 'gloat' is usually disapproving.

Opposites

Word family

gloat verb

To show smug satisfaction about your success or another's failure.

gloating adjective

Showing that you are gloating: a gloating smile.

gloatingly adverb

In a gloating way: She smiled gloatingly.

spell verb

To write or say the letters of a word in order.

Commonly confused: spell gloat or gloat?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “spell gloat”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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