aplomb

[uh-plom, uh-pluhm]

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noun

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

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

Synonyms for aplomb

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1. composure, equanimity, imperturbability.

Antonyms for aplomb

1. confusion, discomposure; doubt, uncertainty.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for aplomb

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

Examples from the Web for aplomb

Contemporary Examples of aplomb

Resolving moral dilemmas is her daily work, and she does it with clarity and aplomb.
Ian McEwan's New Novel Keeps Life at Arm's Length
Nick Romeo
September 11, 2014
Meanwhile, during the past several years in Champagne, the “Grower” movement has gained momentum and aplomb.
Champagne Goes Rogue
Jordan Salcito
December 28, 2013
When he needed to put Rick Perry and Rick Santorum away during the primaries, by God he did it, and with aplomb.
Mitt Romney’s Game-Change Moment in the Denver Presidential Debate
Michael Tomasky
October 2, 2012
But Obama and his party have been playing the race card with the aplomb of a Jim Crow Democrat.
The Tribal Election: Barack Obama Turns to the Karl Rove Playbook
Joel Kotkin
July 24, 2012
The no-nonsense Belvin Perry Jr. presided over the tangled proceedings with aplomb.
World's Crankiest Judges
Alex Berg
July 4, 2011

Historical Examples of aplomb

She received his bits of news with the aplomb of a resourceful commander.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Miss Milbrey disunited the chatting couple with swiftness and aplomb.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
I could read as much in her narrowed eyes as she tried for aplomb with her guests.
Ruggles of Red Gap
Harry Leon Wilson
The aplomb—why should there be a French word for an English quality?
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. I (of II)
Charles James Lever
Before the end of the repast he had recovered all his assurance, all his aplomb.
Samuel Brohl & Company
Victor Cherbuliez

British Dictionary definitions for aplomb

aplomb

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

"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.