charlatan

[ shahr-luh-tn ]

noun

1. a person who pretends or claims to have more knowledge or skill than they possess; fraud; quack.

   Synonyms: phony, fake, fraud, mountebank, impostor

charlatan

/ ˈʃɑːlətən /

noun

1. someone who professes knowledge or expertise, esp in medicine, that he or she does not have; quack

Derived Forms

• ˈcharlatanˌism, noun
• ˌcharlatanˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• char·la·tan·ic [shahr-l, uh, -, tan, -ik], char·la·tan·i·cal char·la·tan·ish char·la·tan·is·tic adjective
• char·la·tan·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of charlatan¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French, from Italian ciarlatano, equivalent to ciarla(tore) “chatterer” (derivative of ciarlare “to chatter”; from imitative root) + (cerre)tano “hawker, quack,” literally, “native of Cerreto, ” a village in Umbria, known for its quacks

Word History and Origins

Origin of charlatan¹

C17: from French, from Italian ciarlatano, from ciarlare to chatter

Example Sentences

“You abused your position and you’re a charlatan who used and is still using your prior position in office to peddle a snake oil that’s been proven to be junk time and time again.”

From Los Angeles Times

In the appearance vs. reality debate, the Democrats are finally understanding they need to destroy the appearance that Trump is a strong man and expose him for the weak-kneed charlatan that he is.

From Salon

It’s aimed at protecting the economic establishment from new ideas and realities such as global warming, while providing financial and personal opportunities for grifters and charlatans.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the centuries, it has endorsed only a small percentage of the thousands that have been claimed, in an effort to protect the faithful from charlatans, doctrinal errors or attempts to profit.

From New York Times

He’s a charlatan with nothing but snake oil to sell.

From Salon

Related Words

• con artist