aplomb — self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation
Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈplɑːm/
Example Sentences
- The waiter spilled soup on three customers but continued serving with such aplomb that people started clapping.
- She delivered her presentation with aplomb despite realizing her slides were completely wrong.
- My cat shows remarkable aplomb when caught stealing food - he just continues eating as if nothing happened.
aplomb
NOUN[/əˈplɑːm/]
self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation
She handled the live TV blunder with total aplomb, smiling like nothing happened.
Facing the bomb with aplomb, staying perfectly calm.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From French 'aplomb', derived from the phrase 'à plomb' meaning 'according to the plumb line' or 'perfectly vertical'. The term originally referred to physical balance or equilibrium and metaphorically extended to mean mental composure and self-assurance.
Breakdown
à (to/at) + plomb (plumb line, from Latin plumbum meaning lead) = aplomb (self-confidence, composure)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The waiter spilled soup on three customers but continued serving with such aplomb that people started clapping.”
“She delivered her presentation with aplomb despite realizing her slides were completely wrong.”
“My cat shows remarkable aplomb when caught stealing food - he just continues eating as if nothing happened.”
“The CEO faced the hostile shareholders with aplomb, answering every difficult question calmly.”
📚Related Words
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