Games

Word of the Day

Video

Blog: Words at Play

My Faves

Dictionary

charlatan

noun char·la·tan \ˈshär-lə-tən\

: a person who falsely pretends to know or be something in order to deceive people

Full Definition of CHARLATAN

: quack 2

: one making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability : fraud, faker

— char·la·tan·ism \-tə-ˌni-zəm\ noun

— char·la·tan·ry \-rē\ noun

See charlatan defined for English-language learners

See charlatan defined for kids

Origin of CHARLATAN

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

First Known Use: 1618

Related to CHARLATAN

Synonyms: impostor, fake, faker, fakir, fraud, hoaxer, humbug, mountebank, phony (also phoney), pretender, quack, quacksalver, ringer, sham

CHARLATAN Defined for Kids

charlatan

noun char·la·tan \ˈshär-lə-tən\

Definition of CHARLATAN for Kids

: a person who falsely pretends to know or be something <The charlatan sold useless medicinal potions.>

Medical Dictionary

charlatan

noun char·la·tan \ˈshär-lət-ən\

Medical Definition of CHARLATAN

: quack

Learn More About CHARLATAN

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "charlatan"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "charlatan"

Nglish: Translation of "charlatan" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "charlatan" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: charlatanicPrevious Word in the Dictionary: charladyAll Words Near: charlatan

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up charlatan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More