Charlatan — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈshär-lə-tən/ char·la·tan

Meaning & Definition of Charlatan

Charlatan (noun)

  1. quack
  2. one making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability, fraud, faker

Charlatan (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one who makes false claims of identity or expertise

    "the famed faith healer turned out to be a charlatan"

    similar: fake, faker, fakir, fraud, hoaxer, humbug, impostor, mountebank, phony, pretender, quack, quacksalver, ringer, sham
    related: copycat, imitator, impersonator, mimic, actor, bluffer, counterfeiter, deceiver, dissembler, duper, feigner, misleader, operator, trickster, poseur, cozener, defrauder, dodger, fraudster (chiefly British), scammer, scamster, sharper, sharpie, skinner, swindler
    near: ace, adept, authority, crackerjack, expert, maestro, master, past master, professional, virtuoso, whiz, wizard

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Charlatan

The most common words with a similar meaning to Charlatan:

fake, faker, fakir, fraud, hoaxer, humbug, impostor, mountebank, phony, pretender, quack, quacksalver, ringer, sham

Related Words for Charlatan

copycat, imitator, impersonator, mimic, actor, bluffer, counterfeiter, deceiver, dissembler, duper, feigner, misleader, operator, trickster, poseur, cozener, defrauder, dodger, fraudster, scammer, scamster, sharper, sharpie, skinner, swindler

Near Antonyms of Charlatan

ace, adept, authority, crackerjack, expert, maestro, master, past master, professional, virtuoso, whiz, wizard

Word Forms of Charlatan

Derived words: charlatanism (noun), charlatanry (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Charlatan

Italian ciarlatano, alteration of cerretano, literally, inhabitant of Cerreto, from Cerreto, Italy

First known use: 1618

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Charlatan

Frequently Asked Questions about Charlatan

What does "Charlatan" mean?

"Charlatan" means quack. As a noun, it is defined as: quack.

What is another word for "Charlatan"?

Other words for "Charlatan" include fake, faker, fakir, fraud, hoaxer, humbug, impostor and mountebank. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Charlatan" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Charlatan"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Charlatan". Common alternatives include fake, faker, fakir, fraud, hoaxer, humbug, impostor, mountebank, phony and pretender.

How do you use "Charlatan" in a sentence?

Examples of "Charlatan" in a sentence: "the famed faith healer turned out to be a charlatan".

Is "Charlatan" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Charlatan" is a noun.

Is "Charlatan" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Charlatan" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Charlatan"?

"Charlatan" is pronounced /ˈshär-lə-tən/ and divided into syllables as char·la·tan.

What is the origin of the word "Charlatan"?

"Charlatan" comes from Italian ciarlatano, alteration of cerretano, literally, inhabitant of Cerreto, from Cerreto, Italy. First known use: 1618.