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Definition of aplomb
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Examples of aplomb in a Sentence
In “The Most Famous Man in America,” Applegate, a Ph.D. in American studies from Yale, tells this grand story with aplomb, intelligence and a sure feel for historical context. —Michael Kazin, New York Times Book Review, 16 July 2006
Stefan Soltesz conducts the excellent chorus and orchestra with aplomb, and television director Brian Large does his usual exemplary job. —Alan Wagner, Opera News, November 2001
During a script conference recounted in the New Yorker piece, Ley fielded a variety of questions with striking aplomb that sometimes verged on arrogance. —Frank Kuznik, Air & Space, April/May 1995
He showed great aplomb in dealing with the reporters.
you've handled a difficult situation with perfect aplomb
Recent Examples of aplomb from the Web
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Here are some of the main questions and misconceptions about GMOs that the documentary addresses with aplomb:
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Playing in the spotlight of New York, the affable Judge has handled it with aplomb.
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Some navigate the whole minefield with more aplomb than others.
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The opening number is always a cheeky mega-mix of contemporary Broadway hits woven together with aplomb by the musical director Michael Moricz.
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Instead, Aden has been pursuing her high fashion profession with aplomb, walking in Kanye West's Yeezy Season 5 show in February and again in Max Mara's and Alberta Ferretti's recent shows.
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Long passes with aplomb, which makes his teammates even more dangerous.
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That's no surprise, since Davis set single-season and career hitting records for the Vikings and also handled his business at the hot corner with remarkable aplomb.
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This cocktail pulls off a tricky combination with aplomb: Jeppson's Malort, Combier Pamplemousse, Giffard Vanille de Madagascar and a cleansing dash of lemon, with each ingredient both complementing and ameliorating the flavor of the next.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aplomb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
In the 19th century, English speakers borrowed aplomb, meaning "composure," from French. "Aplomb" can also mean "perpendicularity" in French and comes from the phrase a plomb, meaning "perpendicularly or literally "according to the plummet." A plummet is a lead weight that is attached to a line and used to determine vertical alignment. Not surprisingly, "aplomb" and English words like "plumber" and the verb "plumb" ("to measure depth" and "to explore critically and minutely") ultimately trace back to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum."
Origin and Etymology of aplomb
French, literally, perpendicularity, from Middle French, from a plomb, literally, according to the plummet
Synonym Discussion of aplomb
APLOMB Defined for English Language Learners
aplomb
playDefinition of aplomb for English Language Learners
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: confidence and skill shown especially in a difficult situation
APLOMB Defined for Kids
aplomb
playDefinition of aplomb for Students
: confidence and skill shown especially in a difficult situation He handled the questions with great aplomb.
Learn More about aplomb
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See words that rhyme with aplomb Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for aplomb Spanish Central: Translation of aplomb Nglish: Translation of aplomb for Spanish speakers
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