Highfalutin
adjective
Trying to seem very important or smart but it looks fake.
She gave a highfalutin speech at the event, filled with fancy words and grand ideas.
Often appears as...
- highfalutin talk
- highfalutin individual
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
adjective
Trying to seem very important or smart but it looks fake.
She gave a highfalutin speech at the event, filled with fancy words and grand ideas.
Often appears as...
- highfalutin talk
- highfalutin individual
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Used in informal settings; not suited for formal or serious texts.
His highfalutin way of talking seems out of place at our casual get-togethers.
Pro Tip 2/3Mocking Tone
Often carries a mocking or ironic tone when describing someone's behavior or speech.
Stop using highfalutin language to sound more intelligent; it's amusing.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Nuance
Implies that the behavior or speech is not only pretentious but also lacks substance.
The author's highfalutin writing style makes the book difficult to take seriously.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Used in informal settings; not suited for formal or serious texts.
His highfalutin way of talking seems out of place at our casual get-togethers.
Pro Tip 2/3Mocking Tone
Often carries a mocking or ironic tone when describing someone's behavior or speech.
Stop using highfalutin language to sound more intelligent; it's amusing.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Nuance
Implies that the behavior or speech is not only pretentious but also lacks substance.
The author's highfalutin writing style makes the book difficult to take seriously.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
Used in informal settings; not suited for formal or serious texts.
His highfalutin way of talking seems out of place at our casual get-togethers.
Pro Tip 2/3Mocking Tone
Often carries a mocking or ironic tone when describing someone's behavior or speech.
Stop using highfalutin language to sound more intelligent; it's amusing.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Nuance
Implies that the behavior or speech is not only pretentious but also lacks substance.
The author's highfalutin writing style makes the book difficult to take seriously.
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Video examples
Robert Thurman:...
He does say that, and we think he's being unrealistic and sort of spiritual and highfalutin. "Nice for him to say it, but I can't do that." But, actually, that's practical. If you love your enemy that means you want your enemy to be happy.
Video examples
Robert Thurman:...
He does say that, and we think he's being unrealistic and sort of spiritual and highfalutin. "Nice for him to say it, but I can't do that." But, actually, that's practical. If you love your enemy that means you want your enemy to be happy.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Robert Christgau
American Journalist
The Village Voice gave me an outlet. They encouraged writers to publish idiosyncratic, intellectually ambitious journalism in voices that ranged from demonic to highfalutin. And they paid me well once the magazine was unionized. Getting paid is motivational.
Quote examples
Nile Rodgers
American Musician
Trust me, the only real way to understand 'Chic' is in highfalutin terms. Our chord progressions were based on European modal melodies. I made those early 'Chic' records to impress my jazz friends.
Quote examples
Richard Quest
English Journalist
Every year, the World Economic Forum decides on a theme for its meeting of the world's elite in Davos, Switzerland. Usually, it's highfalutin nonsense that no one understands and everyone ignores.
Quote examples
Ray Kroc
American Businessman
Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday.
Quote examples
John Hawkes
American Actor
I don't mean to be highfalutin about it, but I try to limit my visibility.
Quote examples
Michael Connelly
American Author
I write puzzles and mysteries. Nothing too highfalutin.
Quote examples
Robert Christgau
American Journalist
The Village Voice gave me an outlet. They encouraged writers to publish idiosyncratic, intellectually ambitious journalism in voices that ranged from demonic to highfalutin. And they paid me well once the magazine was unionized. Getting paid is motivational.
Quote examples
Nile Rodgers
American Musician
Trust me, the only real way to understand 'Chic' is in highfalutin terms. Our chord progressions were based on European modal melodies. I made those early 'Chic' records to impress my jazz friends.
Quote examples
Richard Quest
English Journalist
Every year, the World Economic Forum decides on a theme for its meeting of the world's elite in Davos, Switzerland. Usually, it's highfalutin nonsense that no one understands and everyone ignores.
Quote examples
Ray Kroc
American Businessman
Creativity is a highfalutin word for the work I have to do between now and Tuesday.
Quote examples
John Hawkes
American Actor
I don't mean to be highfalutin about it, but I try to limit my visibility.
Quote examples
Michael Connelly
American Author
I write puzzles and mysteries. Nothing too highfalutin.
Example 1 of 6
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