Words / C2

SHAHL-uh-t-uh-n/ˈʃɑːlətən/

A charlatan is a person who claims skill or knowledge they do not have: exposed as a charlatan, a medical charlatan. Fraud (already in the dictionary) is the crime of deceit, often for money; a sycophant (already in the dictionary) flatters power rather than faking expertise. A demagogue (already in the dictionary) stirs a crowd by prejudice, not by a false trade. “World-leading methods” still have to show the n.

Meaning

A person who claims skill or knowledge they do not have.

Examples

• “A charlatan of “world-leading methods” still has to show the n.”
• “Fraud is deceit for gain (already in B1). A sycophant flatters for advantage (already in C2). A demagogue stirs a crowd (already in C2). A dated figure can still be modest. A title that never states the cell is branding. Write the number; leave the miracle.”

Good to know

A false expert; a quack. Everyday: fraud / fake (already in this dictionary). Contrast: sycophant (flatterer — already in C2); demagogue (crowd-stirrer — already in C2). A title is not an n.

Near in meaning

quack, impostor, fraud, mountebank

New