noun

charlatan

SHAH-luh-tuhn

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Charlatan (noun) means a person who pretends to have skill or knowledge they don't actually have, usually to trick people out of money. Example: “The so-called healer turned out to be a charlatan selling sugar pills as medicine.”

noun

A person who pretends to have skill or knowledge they don't actually have, usually to trick people out of money.

"The so-called healer turned out to be a charlatan selling sugar pills as medicine."

"Investors lost their savings trusting a charlatan who claimed to have a foolproof trading system."

How to use charlatan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA fraud who fakes expertise to fool people, especially in medicine, business, or "expert" advice.

Common mistake

Stronger and more deliberate than "amateur" — a charlatan isn't just unskilled, they are actively deceiving people.

Easily confused with

quack →

Common pairings

expose a charlatan a self-proclaimed charlatan quack and charlatan

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: charlatans

Test yourself on “charlatan” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The so-called healer turned out to be a _____ selling sugar pills as medicine.

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).

Origin: French

Synonyms

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mountebank

Related words

mountebank

Rhymes for charlatan

Satan

See all rhymes for 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).

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