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   boost

   /buːst/

   verb

   • 1. help or encourage (something) to increase or improve: "a range of measures to boost tourism" Similar improveraiseupliftincreaseaugmentmagnifyswellamplifyenhanceencourageheightenhelppromotefosternurturearousestimulateinvigoraterevitalizeinspireperk upsupportbolsterbuttressshore upinformal:buck upjack upgive a shot in the arm toincreaseexpandraiseelevateescalateaugmentadd toimprovestrengthenamplifyenlargeinflatepush uppromoteadvancedevelopfurtherfosterstimulatefacilitatehelpassistaidsupportbackshore upinformal:jack uphikehike upbeef upcrank upbump upstep upOpposite decreasehinder
   • ▪ amplify (an electrical signal): "the specially designed circuit boosts signal strength"
   • 2. push from below: North American "Andy boosted him up high enough to reach the keys" Similar liftraisehoistpushthrustshoveheaveelevatehelpaidassistinformal:hoickgive someone a leg uprare:upheave
   • 3. steal (something): informal North American "he'd had his wallet boosted in a bar"

   noun

   • 1. a source of help or encouragement leading to increase or improvement: "the cut in interest rates will give a further boost to the economy" Similar upliftliftspurencouragementhelpinspirationstimuluspick-me-upfillipsupportbolsterinformal:shot in the arm
   • ▪ an increase or improvement: "a boost in exports" Similar increaseexpansionupturnupsurgeupswingriseelevationescalationaugmentationimprovementdevelopmentadvancegrowthboomspurtinformal:hikestep upjack upOpposite decrease
   • 2. a push from below. North American Similar lift uphoist uppushthrustshoveheaveinformal:a leg upa hoick up

   Word Origin early 19th century (originally US, in boost (sense 2 of the verb)): of unknown origin.

   Scrabble Points: 7

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