Charlatan: meaning, definitions and examples
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charlatan
[ ˈʃɑːrlətən ]
deceptive person
A charlatan is a person who pretends to have more knowledge or skill than they really possess, especially in the fields of medicine, arts, or politics. Charlatans often use trickery or manipulation to deceive others for personal gain.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He was exposed as a charlatan who had been selling fake medicines.
- The self-proclaimed psychic turned out to be nothing more than a charlatan.
- The charlatan claimed to have a cure for all illnesses, but it was just a scam.
- The charlatan's smooth talk convinced many people to part with their money.
- Be wary of charlatans offering quick-fix solutions to complex problems.
Translations
Translations of the word "charlatan" in other languages:
🇵🇹 charlatão
🇮🇳 शार्लटन
🇩🇪 Scharlatan
🇮🇩 charlatan
🇺🇦 шарлатан
🇵🇱 szarlatan
🇯🇵 シャルラタン
🇫🇷 charlatan
🇪🇸 charlatán
🇹🇷 şarlatan
🇰🇷 사기꾼
🇸🇦 دجال
🇨🇿 šarlatán
🇸🇰 šarlatán
🇨🇳 江湖骗子
🇸🇮 šarlatan
🇮🇸 skottulæknir
🇰🇿 алаяқ
🇬🇪 შარლატანი
🇦🇿 şarlatan
🇲🇽 charlatán
Word origin
The word charlatan originated in the late 16th century, borrowed from the French word 'charlatan', which in turn came from the Italian word 'ciarlatano'. The term was initially used to describe a person who claimed to possess skills or knowledge they did not have, particularly in the context of selling dubious medical remedies. Over time, the term evolved to encompass a wider range of deceptive practices beyond just medicine.