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namedrop

/ˈneɪmˌdrɒp/
IPA guide

When you try to impress someone by mentioning a famous person you once met or caught a glimpse of, you namedrop.

If a celebrity's name comes up naturally in conversation, it's fine, but if you namedrop by artificially inserting the famous name — bringing up the story of the movie star you saw at the library over and over, for example — it can become annoying. Namedropping is a way of showing off, trying to impress someone or prove your own superiority.

Definitions of namedrop
  1. verb
    mention rich or famous people to try to impress others
    see moresee less
    type of:
    advert, bring up, cite, mention, name, refer
    make reference to
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