charlatan
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for charlatan, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who pretends to have skill or knowledge they don't actually have, usually to trick people out of money.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use charlatan
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French charlatan, borrowed from Italian ciarlatano, blending "ciarlare" (to chatter) with "cerretano" (a hawker from the town of Cerreto, once known for its traveling quack doctors).
Full origin of charlatan →Frequently asked questions
What does “charlatan” mean?
The word “charlatan” means a person who pretends to have skill or knowledge they don't actually have, usually to trick people out of money. In plain terms, a fraud who fakes expertise to fool people, especially in medicine, business, or "expert" advice.
How do you pronounce “charlatan”?
“Charlatan” is pronounced SHAH-luh-tuhn (/ˈʃɑɹlətən/ in IPA).
How do you use “charlatan” in a sentence?
Here is “charlatan” used in a sentence: “The so-called healer turned out to be a charlatan selling sugar pills as medicine.”
What part of speech is “charlatan”?
“Charlatan” is a noun.
Where does the word “charlatan” come from?
The word “charlatan” comes from French. From French charlatan, borrowed from Italian ciarlatano, blending "ciarlare" (to chatter) with "cerretano" (a hawker from the town of Cerreto, once known for its traveling quack doctors).