highfalutin

adjective

high·​fa·​lu·​tin ˌhī-fə-ˈlü-tᵊn How to pronounce highfalutin (audio)
variants or less commonly hifalutin
1
: pretentious, fancy
highfalutin people
2
: expressed in or marked by the use of language that is elaborated or heightened by artificial or empty means : pompous
giving a highfalutin speech

Examples of highfalutin in a Sentence

a highfalutin way of talking his highfalutin paean to the working class failed to win over a crowd that wanted to hear down-to-earth proposals for economic relief
Recent Examples on the Web Most important to Mongers' co-founders, though, was to reimagine the highfalutin nature of wine, cheese and other delicacies into a format that is laid back. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 In space, with one’s life and perhaps mankind’s existence on the line, survival might just come down to who can best wield a kitchen knife or random tool rather than some highfalutin laser. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024 Cage asks, repeating the absurd gesture Paul makes of miming drinking wine at a highfalutin dinner. Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2024 Her voice was as engaging and charming as her ex-husband’s was abstruse and highfalutin. Penelope Green, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2023 Don’t expect the pair to celebrate either milestone with a highfalutin meal, though. Chris Morris, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023 Then there are the highfalutin expressions like Parker’s Heritage Collection, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection, and the whiskey in question, Old Fitzgerald. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2023 Despite the highfalutin framing, the only part of X described above that is not already in some way a part of Twitter, is a means of making payments. Brian Merchant, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2023 His affected, highfalutin accent is from his father; the fluid agony in his limbs is from his mother. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 7 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'highfalutin.' 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

perhaps from high entry 2 + alteration of fluting, present participle of flute

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of highfalutin was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near highfalutin

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

highfalutin

adjective
high·​fa·​lu·​tin ˌhī-fə-ˈlüt-ᵊn How to pronounce highfalutin (audio)
: pretentious, pompous
highfalutin talk
highfalutin people
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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