highfalutin

American  

[hahy-fuh-loot-n] / ˌhaɪ fəˈlut n /

Also highfaluting or highfalutin',

adjective

Informal.

1. seeming or trying to seem superior, important, etc.; pompous; pretentious.

---

highfalutin British  

/ ˌhaɪfəˈluːtɪn /

adjective

1. informal pompous or pretentious

---

Etymology

Origin of highfalutin

First recorded in 1830–40; high + falutin (perhaps originally flutin, variant of fluting, present participle of flute )

Example Sentences

The highfalutin prestige animation studio is signaling to the “Minecraft” generation that they can do fun new movies too.

From Los Angeles Times

And it could have a huge impact on the game because, at the risk of getting highfalutin, it would require a new way of thinking about time.

From BBC

The highfalutin parallel is to “Candide,” the classic 18th century novel about a naif who endures the horrors of civilization: chaos, selfishness, disease and destruction.

From Los Angeles Times

A second inscription at the Missouri School of Journalism, my alma mater, is also on the mark, though it’s even more mockable and highfalutin: "The Schoolmaster to the People."

From Salon

Because God, I don’t want to get highfalutin in any way, but we’re in trouble right now in our culture.

From Los Angeles Times