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aplomb

[ uh-plom, uh-pluhm ]
/ əˈplɒm, əˈplʌm /
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noun

imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
the perpendicular, or vertical, position.

RELATED WORDS

nonchalance, tact, equanimity, nerve, confidence, self-possession, coolness, poise, balance, surety

Nearby words

  1. aplastic anemia,
  2. aplastic lymph,
  3. aplenty,
  4. aplite,
  5. aplitic,
  6. apmt.,
  7. apnea,
  8. apneic,
  9. apneic pause,
  10. apneumia

Origin of aplomb

First recorded in 1820–30, aplomb is from the French word à plomb according to the plummet, i.e., straight up and down, vertical position
ANTONYMS FOR aplomb
1. confusion, discomposure; doubt, uncertainty.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for aplomb

British Dictionary definitions for aplomb

aplomb

/ (əˈplɒm) /

noun

equanimity, self-confidence, or self-possession

Word Origin for aplomb

C18: from French: rectitude, uprightness, from à plomb according to the plumb line, vertically
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for aplomb

aplomb

n.

"assurance, confidence," 1828, from French aplomb (16c.), literally "perpendicularity," from phrase à plomb "poised upright, balanced," literally "on the plumb line," from Latin plumbum "(the metal) lead" (see plumb (n.)), of which the weight at the end of the line was made.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper