noun
charlatan
SHAR-luh-tun/ˈʃɑːrlətən/
A person who falsely claims special knowledge or skill.
The charlatan secretly moves the bell, pretending to contact the client's deceased relative.
Etymology
Italian ciarlatano meant a quack and was derived from a verb meaning “babble.” English uses the term broadly for someone who pretends to knowledge, skill, or importance.
In context
McGregor ever the charlatan managed to escape to France and continue his schemes he was eventually caught
More examples
- Investigators exposed the supposed expert as a charlatan.
- The charlatan invented impressive qualifications.
- She warned investors about financial charlatans promising guaranteed riches.
Forms
charlatan · charlatans
Similar words
- fraud
- Fraud broadly describes a deceiver or deception; charlatan specifically claims false expertise.