aplomb
Americannoun
-
imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
- Synonyms:
- imperturbability, equanimity, composure
- Antonyms:
- uncertainty, doubt, discomposure, confusion
-
the perpendicular, or vertical, position.
noun
Etymology
Origin of aplomb
First recorded in 1820–30; from French à plomb “according to the plummet” (straight up and down, vertical position); cf. plumb ( def. )
Explanation
Aplomb is the ultimate test for cool: grace under pressure. Use aplomb to show great restraint under even the most trying circumstances. In retail, it's always a good idea to handle the angry customers with aplomb. Angry at the long lines at the grocery store? Irritated because the driver ahead cut you off? Take a deep breath, and approach life's messes with aplomb. When you think of aplomb, think cool, calm and collected. Not frazzled, furious, and fiery. Aplomb comes from the French word meaning "perpendicularity," from the phrase à plomb for "poised upright, balanced."
Vocabulary lists containing aplomb
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Lagarde had led the bank "with great aplomb during challenging times" and French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Lagarde on X for her service "during a period marked by numerous crises".
From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026
She took it on with the aplomb of someone who knew how necessary the work was, and now we’ve lost her at one of the worst possible moments.
From Slate ● Sep. 3, 2026
The film balances these two tones with aplomb, as “Looney Tunes” so often does.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026
And like any good clown, he did it with exaggerated aplomb, vigorously pounding a small drum when he found a performance lacking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Yes, it was she talking, with her customary aplomb, breaking his heart in the drugstore.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
