aplomb

noun \ ə-ˈpläm , -ˈpləm \

|Updated on: 25 Jun 2018

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Examples: aplomb in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of aplomb

: complete and confident composure or self-assurance : poise

She played several roles with equal 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

Wet Bus traveled faster, its tight cast pouncing on recurring jokes and characters with aplomb.

— steve heisler, Chicago Reader, "The two improv teams in Oh Hell Yeah demonstrate that timing is everything," 22 June 2018
Never mind the dense fog — shades of a John Carpenter movie — that blanketed Pimlico Race Course; Collmus cut through the mist with aplomb to keep viewers and horsemen apprised of the action.

— mike klingaman, baltimoresun.com, "Triple Crown race-caller Larry Collmus, of Howard County, doesn't let the weather get in his way," 4 June 2018
Çalhanoğlu twisted and turned on the far right side of the penalty area, before whipping a ball across of the face of goal, which the Italian buried with aplomb.

— SI.com, "AC Milan 5-1 Fiorentina: Red Hot Rossoneri Fightback to Book Place in Europa League Group Stage," 20 May 2018
Tina Fey's book is often hilarious, and the show makes room for outcast adolescents who prove themselves to be even more entertaining than the beauty queens and jocks who are lampooned with aplomb.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "What 'My Fair Lady' and 'Carousel' bring to Broadway that 'Mean Girls' does not," 17 May 2018
At one point in the video, Atlas encounters a log across its path but leaps over it with aplomb.

— NBC News, "Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot goes for a run in the burbs," 11 May 2018
Mounted with a tech binding these boards are plenty light for long skin track slogs but can also handle any snow type or terrain with aplomb.

— the editors, Outside Online, "In Search of the Best-Value Gear," 27 Apr. 2018
Still, the newer cast tackled Mulaney’s material with aplomb, leading to one of the strongest episodes of the season.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Consider the 'Diner Lobster'," 17 Apr. 2018
What’s really fun about The Hellfire Club are the real-life characters who pop up and whom Tapper sketches with aplomb.

— jocelyn mcclurg, USA TODAY, "CNN's Jake Tapper sizzles with 'The Hellfire Club,' his D.C.-set 1950s thriller," 24 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1818

in the meaning defined above

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aplomb Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of aplomb

confidence, assurance, self-possession, aplomb mean a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassment. confidence stresses faith in oneself and one's powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance.