C1 noun Neutral

boycott

/ˈbɔɪkɒt/

A concerted act of protest where individuals or groups refuse to buy, use, or participate in something to express disapproval or force change. It is primarily used as a tool for social, political, or economic pressure against an organization or country.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The local community organized a boycott of the supermarket chain to protest its treatment of staff.

The local community organized a boycott of the supermarket chain to protest its treatment of staff.

2

Several nations have proposed a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming international summit.

Several nations have proposed a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming international summit.

3

I'm doing a personal boycott of that coffee shop because their prices are just ridiculous.

I'm doing a personal boycott of that coffee shop because their prices are just ridiculous.

Word Family

Noun
boycott
Verb
boycott
Adjective
boycotted
Related
boycotter
💡

Memory Tip

The word comes from Captain Charles Boycott, an agent in Ireland whose neighbors 'cut him off' and refused to speak to him or work for him—think of 'cutting' ties like a Boy-cut.

Quick Quiz

The environmental group urged citizens to _______ the clothing brand until it improved its sustainability practices.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boycott

Examples

1

The local community organized a boycott of the supermarket chain to protest its treatment of staff.

everyday

The local community organized a boycott of the supermarket chain to protest its treatment of staff.

2

Several nations have proposed a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming international summit.

formal

Several nations have proposed a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming international summit.

3

I'm doing a personal boycott of that coffee shop because their prices are just ridiculous.

informal

I'm doing a personal boycott of that coffee shop because their prices are just ridiculous.

4

The effectiveness of the 1955 bus boycott is a central theme in many sociological studies of the era.

academic

The effectiveness of the 1955 bus boycott is a central theme in many sociological studies of the era.

5

The board of directors met to discuss the potential impact of a consumer boycott on quarterly earnings.

business

The board of directors met to discuss the potential impact of a consumer boycott on quarterly earnings.

Word Family

Noun
boycott
Verb
boycott
Adjective
boycotted
Related
boycotter

Common Collocations

call for a boycott call for a boycott
organize a boycott organize a boycott
consumer boycott consumer boycott
effective boycott effective boycott
total boycott total boycott

Common Phrases

launch a boycott

to start a formal protest refusal

break a boycott

to stop participating in a boycott or act against it

threaten a boycott

to warn that a boycott will occur if demands aren't met

Often Confused With

boycott vs embargo

An embargo is usually a government-mandated trade restriction, while a boycott is often a voluntary consumer or group action.

boycott vs strike

A strike is a refusal to work by employees, whereas a boycott is a refusal to buy or deal with an entity by consumers or outsiders.

📝

Usage Notes

Boycott functions as both a noun and a transitive verb. When used as a noun, it is frequently paired with the preposition 'of' to indicate the target (e.g., a boycott of the product).

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use the preposition 'to' after the noun 'boycott', but 'of' is the correct choice. Additionally, do not confuse the spelling with 'boy-coat'.

💡

Memory Tip

The word comes from Captain Charles Boycott, an agent in Ireland whose neighbors 'cut him off' and refused to speak to him or work for him—think of 'cutting' ties like a Boy-cut.

📖

Word Origin

Named after Captain Charles C. Boycott (1832–97), an English land agent in Ireland who was ostracized by his community during the Land League agitation in 1880.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Transitive verb (e.g., 'to boycott the company') Followed by the preposition 'of' as a noun
🌍

Cultural Context

The word is deeply linked to the history of civil rights and social justice movements, notably the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the US.

Quick Quiz

The environmental group urged citizens to _______ the clothing brand until it improved its sustainability practices.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boycott

Related Words

intrathermancy

C1

To practice the specialized method of analyzing or predicting the internal heat patterns of a system or organism. In technical or speculative contexts, it involves monitoring internal thermal fluctuations to foresee structural or physiological changes before they manifest externally.

ultradurible

C1

Describes a material or product engineered to withstand extreme wear, pressure, or environmental damage over an exceptionally long period. It denotes a level of resilience and longevity that significantly surpasses standard industry benchmarks for durability.

nonservancy

C1

To fail to observe, preserve, or maintain a specific duty, regulation, or standard, often in a legal or administrative context. It describes the intentional or accidental act of neglecting established protocols or failing to serve a required function.

misnavize

C1

A misnavize is a specific instance of a structural or logic-based error that occurs during the navigation of a complex system or physical space. It describes a situation where a user or traveler is systematically misled by flawed directional cues or interface design.

obgeoacy

C1

Describing a state of persistent, often stubborn adherence to a specific geographical location or spatial boundary. It characterizes an entity's refusal to migrate, adapt, or change its physical position despite external pressures or environmental shifts.

comportance

C1

Comportance is a formal or literary noun describing the way a person carries themselves; it encompasses their physical bearing, behavior, and overall demeanor. It is typically used to evaluate how well an individual adheres to social expectations or maintains dignity in professional or public settings.

microtenter

C1

A specialized laboratory or industrial device used for stretching or holding small samples of fabric, films, or membranes under precise tension. It is typically used in material science to examine how micro-scale materials react to stress and strain.

abhabion

C1

A specialized term referring to a state of temporary suspension or functional dormancy within a biological or mechanical system. It describes a period where growth or operation is paused before transitioning to a subsequent active phase.

interrogist

C1

A person who asks questions or conducts an inquiry, especially one who is skilled in the systematic art of interrogation. It refers to an individual who persistently seeks information or clarification through direct questioning.

deverbary

C1

A specialized dictionary or index of idioms, proverbs, and phrases centered specifically around verbs or derived from verbal roots. It is primarily used in linguistic research and lexicography to categorize and study phraseological expressions.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free