malarkey
5 synonyms for malarkey, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Nonsense; empty or foolish talk.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use malarkey
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a bunch of malarkey
pure malarkey
Informal and somewhat dated, often used humorously.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, popularized in American newspaper cartoons in the 1920s; possibly linked to an Irish surname or a Greek word for soft or flabby talk.
Full origin of malarkey →Frequently asked questions
What does “malarkey” mean?
The word “malarkey” means nonsense; empty or foolish talk. In plain terms, an informal, slightly old-fashioned word for nonsense or baloney.
How do you pronounce “malarkey”?
“Malarkey” is pronounced muh-LAH-kee (/məˈlɑɹki/ in IPA).
How do you use “malarkey” in a sentence?
Here is “malarkey” used in a sentence: “Don't give me that malarkey about the dog eating your homework.”
What part of speech is “malarkey”?
“Malarkey” is a noun.
Where does the word “malarkey” come from?
The word “malarkey” dates back to around 1920 and comes from Greek. Of uncertain origin, popularized in American newspaper cartoons in the 1920s; possibly linked to an Irish surname or a Greek word for soft or flabby talk.
