First Known Use: 1542
Dictionary
cynic
noun cyn·ic \ˈsi-nik\
: a person who has negative opinions about other people and about the things people do; especially : a person who believes that people are selfish and are only interested in helping themselves
Full Definition of CYNIC
1
capitalized : an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence
2
: a faultfinding captious critic; especially : one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest
— cynic adjective
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Origin of CYNIC
Middle French or Latin, Middle French cynique, from Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos, literally, like a dog, from kyn-, kyōn dog — more at hound
Related to CYNIC
- Synonyms
- misanthrope, naysayer, pessimist
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