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
Don’t expect the pair to celebrate either milestone with a highfalutin meal, though.
—
Chris Morris, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023
Then there are the highfalutin expressions like Parker’s Heritage Collection, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection, and the whiskey in question, Old Fitzgerald.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2023
Despite the highfalutin framing, the only part of X described above that is not already in some way a part of Twitter, is a means of making payments.
—Brian Merchant, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2023
No one will confuse the Hyundai with, say, a BMW M3, but the improved steering and chassis control—along with those big, grippy tires—let the Hyundai hustle through curves with grace and serenity, at speeds that would challenge several highfalutin’ sports sedans.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Apr. 2023
His affected, highfalutin accent is from his father; the fluid agony in his limbs is from his mother.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 7 Jan. 2022
Later today, Gabriel Rucker, the two-time James Beard Award winning chef at Portland’s Le Pigeon, will join 19 other notable chefs at Big Top, a highfalutin food event inspired by carnivals and fairs.
—Mrussell, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023
The steering, chassis control, and those big, grippy tires let the Hyundai hustle through curves with grace and serenity—at speeds that would challenge several highfalutin’ sports sedans.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Apr. 2023
Who cares about such highfalutin abstractions?
—Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
See More
Chris Morris, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023
Then there are the highfalutin expressions like Parker’s Heritage Collection, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection, and the whiskey in question, Old Fitzgerald.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2023
Despite the highfalutin framing, the only part of X described above that is not already in some way a part of Twitter, is a means of making payments.
—Brian Merchant, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2023
No one will confuse the Hyundai with, say, a BMW M3, but the improved steering and chassis control—along with those big, grippy tires—let the Hyundai hustle through curves with grace and serenity, at speeds that would challenge several highfalutin’ sports sedans.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Apr. 2023
His affected, highfalutin accent is from his father; the fluid agony in his limbs is from his mother.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 7 Jan. 2022
Later today, Gabriel Rucker, the two-time James Beard Award winning chef at Portland’s Le Pigeon, will join 19 other notable chefs at Big Top, a highfalutin food event inspired by carnivals and fairs.
—Mrussell, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023
The steering, chassis control, and those big, grippy tires let the Hyundai hustle through curves with grace and serenity—at speeds that would challenge several highfalutin’ sports sedans.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Apr. 2023
Who cares about such highfalutin abstractions?
—Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'highfalutin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
perhaps from high entry 2 + alteration of fluting, present participle of flute
First Known Use
1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near highfalutin
Cite this Entry
“Highfalutin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highfalutin. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
highfalutin
adjective
high·fa·lu·tin
ˌhī-fə-ˈlüt-ᵊn
: pretentious, pompous
highfalutin talk
highfalutin people
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