charlatan

noun

char·​la·​tan ˈshär-lə-tən How to pronounce charlatan (audio)
1
: quack entry 4 sense 2
charlatans harming their patients with dubious procedures
2
: one making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability : fraud, faker
a charlatan willing to do and say virtually anything to remain in the spotlightAlan Brinkley
charlatanism noun
charlatanry noun

Did you know?

In medieval Italy, people roamed throughout the land selling fake remedies and making false claims about their healing abilities. Many of these pretenders reputedly came from a village called Cerreto, and as a result, cerretano (meaning “inhabitant of Cerreto”) became an epithet for a quack physician. In addition, these frauds used a practiced patter to attract customers, like the chatter of a circus barker. The Italian word for “to chatter” is ciarlare, and chattering was so associated with the cerretano that the spelling of the word shifted to ciarlatano. By the early 17th century, English speakers had anglicized the Italian word to charlatan and adopted it as their own.

Examples of charlatan in a Sentence

the famed faith healer turned out to be a charlatan
Recent Examples on the Web This builds suspense for the audience about this seemingly evil and obvious charlatan. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 Villeneuve may be more cinematic logician than ideologue, but, in implicating Paul as a possible charlatan, the director shrewdly feeds our own uneasiness. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2024 Malcolm McDowell is a sneering charlatan, Scout Taylor-Compton is a one-note screaming victim, and Tyler Mane offers nothing new. Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 11 Oct. 2023 Licensure exists in part to preserve quality control and prevent charlatans from peddling bogus treatments. Grace Rubenstein, STAT, 18 Jan. 2024 Will weight-loss drugs put diet charlatans out of business? Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2023 Smith, whether a charlatan or a holy man, was a marketing guru in the best American tradition. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024 Truman saw modern artists as charlatans and their art as fraudulent. Diane Scharper, Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2024 Chronicling the adventures of this charlatan energizes The Book of Clarence, which is hobbled by its tonal inconsistencies. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'charlatan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of charlatan was in 1618

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Dictionary Entries Near charlatan

Cite this Entry

“Charlatan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charlatan. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

charlatan

noun
char·​la·​tan ˈshär-lə-tən How to pronounce charlatan (audio)
: a person who pretends to have knowledge or ability
Etymology

from Italian ciarlatano "charlatan," an altered form of cerretano (same meaning), literally, "inhabitant of Cerreto (village in Italy)"

Word Origin
In the early 16th century people claiming medical skills they did not really have wandered throughout Italy. They sold medicines of little or no value. Because many of these fakers came from a village called Cerreto, the name cerretano, meaning "inhabitant of Cerreto," became a general name for a medical faker. Such people always had a line of talk to help them sell their products. Through the influence of the Italian word ciarlare, meaning "to chatter," the word cerretano, when used to refer to these fakers, became ciarlatano. It is from this word that we get our English charlatan.

Medical Definition

charlatan

noun
char·​la·​tan ˈshär-lət-ən How to pronounce charlatan (audio)
: quack

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