aplomb
noun
-ˈpləm 
Did you know?
In the 19th century, English speakers borrowed aplomb, meaning "composure," from French. "Aplomb" can also mean "perpendicularity" in French and comes from the phrase a plomb, meaning "perpendicularly or literally "according to the plummet." A plummet is a lead weight that is attached to a line and used to determine vertical alignment. Not surprisingly, "aplomb" and English words like "plumber" and the verb "plumb" ("to measure depth" and "to explore critically and minutely") ultimately trace back to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum."
Synonyms
- calmness
- collectedness
- composedness
- composure
- cool
- coolness
- countenance
- equanimity
- equilibrium
- imperturbability
- placidity
- repose
- sangfroid
- self-composedness
- self-possession
- serenity
- tranquillity
- tranquility
- tranquilness
Example Sentences
Michael Kazin, New York Times Book Review, 16 July 2006 Stefan Soltesz conducts the excellent chorus and orchestra with aplomb, and television director Brian Large does his usual exemplary job. Alan Wagner, Opera News, November 2001 During a script conference recounted in the New Yorker piece, Ley fielded a variety of questions with striking aplomb that sometimes verged on arrogance. Frank Kuznik, Air & Space, April/May 1995 He showed great aplomb in dealing with the reporters. you've handled a difficult situation with perfect aplomb Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 July 2022 The four female performers — Jennifer Barnat, Katie Boren, Emma Green and Katrien Van Riel — switch roles and attitudes with antic aplomb. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2022 Or a local music producer named Quentin Sellers, played with dashingly sinister aplomb by Ashton Kutcher in a white cowboy suit, explaining how and why conspiracy mania took over the heartland. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 June 2022 However, even with mixed reviews, the critics had to admit the band was pulling off being the Stones with stiff aplomb. Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 10 June 2022 There were standout performances at the awards show from, among others, Thee Sacred Souls, The Sully Band (featuring Rebecca Jade), Mrs. Henry, Slack Key Ohana and the Ira B. Liss Big Band Machine, which kicked off the evening with brassy aplomb. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2022 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park sits on the Big Island and contains the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes: Mauna Lo and Kīlauea, which erupted to spectacular aplomb in September 2021. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2022 And arguably, a deepfaked 50 Cent hanging with agile aplomb from the rafters might have been more effective at reviving the simpler times of the early aughts, rather than a live performance highlighting how much time has passed. Francis Hellyer, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2022 With a posh British accent and peerless aplomb, the white-gloved butler of the Banks household was played by Joseph Marcell. Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
French, literally, perpendicularity, from Middle French, from a plomb, literally, according to the plummet
1818, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
aplomb
noun
aplomb
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- composure
- sangfroid
- calmness
- equanimity
- coolness
- imperturbability
- collectedness
- serenity
- equilibrium
- poise
- confidence
- placidity
- self-possession
- assurance
- cool
- countenance
- tranquility
- tranquillity
- composedness
- tranquilness
- self-assurance
- repose
- self-assuredness
- indifference
- self-composedness
- unconcern
- impassivity
- self-confidence
- easygoingness
- apathy
- numbness
- detachment
- phlegm
- self-trust
- insensibility
- laid-backness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- agitation
- concern
- apprehension
- anxiety
- uneasiness
- solicitude
- discomposure
- disquiet
- perturbation
- care
- nervousness
- anxiousness
- worry
- apprehensiveness
- alarm
- excitability
- alarum
- disturbance
- excitableness
Synonyms & Similar Words
- composure
- confidence
- assurance
- pridefulness
- self-assurance
- self-assuredness
- pride
- smugness
- self-confidence
- hubris
- vanity
- equanimity
- cockiness
- pomposity
- complacency
- overconfidence
- conceitedness
- self-trust
- pompousness
- coolness
- hauteur
- imperiousness
- calmness
- vainglory
- superciliousness
- ego
- complacence
- egoism
- superiority
- egotism
- conceit
- haughtiness
- vaingloriousness
- self-satisfaction
- self-complacency
- self-admiration
- loftiness
- self-opinion
- self-content
- self-importance
- self-contentment
- presumptuousness
- peremptoriness
- self-conceit
- self-esteem
- self-possession
- self-applause
- lordliness
- self-glorification
- huffiness
- self-consequence
- self-assumption
- bumptiousness
- assumption
- pretentiousness
- self-partiality
- toploftiness
- self-poise
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- diffidence
- insecurity
- doubt
- apprehension
- misgiving
- self-doubt
- self-distrust
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of aplomb are assurance, confidence, and self-possession. While all these words mean "a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassment," aplomb implies a manifest self-possession in trying or challenging situations.
The words assurance and aplomb are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, assurance carries a stronger implication of certainty and may suggest arrogance or lack of objectivity in assessing one's own powers.
The words confidence and aplomb can be used in similar contexts, but confidence stresses faith in oneself and one's powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance.
While the synonyms self-possession and aplomb are close in meaning, self-possession implies an ease or coolness under stress that reflects perfect self-control and command of one's powers.