Question 1 · Quick check
cynical
CEFRC2
/ˈsɪnɪkəl/
adjective
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
adjective
Believing that people are mainly selfish and dishonest.
- 02
adjective
Extra detailBitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking.
Examples
Advertising like this is a cynical manipulation of the elderly.
He always makes cynical remarks to me.
At a glance
Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 5
- Parts of speech
- 1
- Citations
- 5
Deep Dive
adjective
Extra meaningsSkeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others.
Of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
Showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions.
More examples
In contextI resent your cynical remarks.
I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received.
He seldom talked, and when he did, it was usually to make some cynical remark-for instance, he would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off, but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies.
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.
Nearby
Origin
adjective
Originated 1542, from Classical Latin cynicus (“Cynic/cynic”, adjective) + -al. By surface analysis, cynic + -al. In reference to dogs, with allusion to the ultimate etymology (Ancient Greek κυνικός (kunikós, “doglike”)).