name-dropping

noun

name-drop·​ping ˈnām-ˌdrä-piŋ How to pronounce name-dropping (audio)
: the studied but seemingly casual mention of prominent persons as associates done to impress others
name-drop intransitive verb
name-dropper noun

Examples of name-dropping in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, effective personalization isn’t simply about name-dropping or referencing a recent post. Samuel Darwin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 And although the memoir isn’t as heavy on showbiz anecdote as might be expected, much of the name-dropping may yet surface in the second book. Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024 Beyond the impressive name-dropping and pedigree — his aunt and uncle are writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne — Dunne, 69, has a gift for storytelling. Brooke Lefferts, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024 His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024 George does some name-dropping throughout his book, including other members of the Jackson family. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024 His indiscriminate name-dropping of events that are entirely fictional and never occurred is a transparent effort to grab attention. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Feb. 2024 Laboriously, Amistad sinks to courtroom histrionics and showy, historical name-dropping. Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 There’s a certain kind of theater parody made by theater people, where the characters are either provincial rubes or name-dropping, Olivier-quoting grandees of their local scene, and theater is made out to be a kind of small-town cult for the flamboyantly uncool. Vulture Staff, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of name-dropping was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near name-dropping

Cite this Entry

“Name-dropping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/name-dropping. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

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