highfalutin
adjective
high·fa·lu·tin
ˌhī-fə-ˈlü-tᵊn 
variants
or less commonly hifalutin
1
: pretentious, fancy
highfalutin people
2
: expressed in or marked by the use of language that is elaborated or heightened by artificial or empty means : pompous
giving a highfalutin speech
Synonyms
Examples of highfalutin in a Sentence
a highfalutin way of talking
his highfalutin paean to the working class failed to win over a crowd that wanted to hear down-to-earth proposals for economic relief
Recent Examples on the Web
Both film and suite balance highfalutin glory and deep, deep rot.
—
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2024
Fantasia 2000 is not as highfalutin as the groundbreaking original.
—Donald Liebenson, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024
Newsom, for all his highfalutin rhetoric about championing all Californians, just can’t quit the gentry and the insiders who have made his career.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
After selling more than 150 million albums, filling stadiums for decades and earning highfalutin accolades such as the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and Kennedy Center Honors, Garth Brooks shouldn’t be affected by much.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for highfalutin 
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Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2024
Fantasia 2000 is not as highfalutin as the groundbreaking original.
—Donald Liebenson, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024
Newsom, for all his highfalutin rhetoric about championing all Californians, just can’t quit the gentry and the insiders who have made his career.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
After selling more than 150 million albums, filling stadiums for decades and earning highfalutin accolades such as the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and Kennedy Center Honors, Garth Brooks shouldn’t be affected by much.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for highfalutin
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Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highfalutin. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
highfalutin
adjective
high·fa·lu·tin
ˌhī-fə-ˈlüt-ᵊn
: pretentious, pompous
highfalutin talk
highfalutin people
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