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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Whenever the BAM/Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble was onstage — these splendid dancers, full of aplomb, were a joy to behold — the show came to life.
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More than 860 guests got a sneak preview of the new fountain garden at an evening fete May 18, when threats of storms held off for a show of thundering aplomb, to hits by the Beatles.
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The Indians protected their home field with aplomb last season, which provided some fuel for the fan base.
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Lovato has accepted this with aplomb by detailing her own personal struggles and turning her public platforms into megaphones for speaking out about depression and bi-polar disorder, and to rail against bullying and online harassment.
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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