French word

hypocrite

Pronunciation

IPA/ipokʁit/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)hypocrite

Example

C'est un hypocrite.

He is a hypocrite.

Illustration for hypocrite (hypocrite)

More examples

Ne fais pas l'hypocrite devant eux.

Don't act like a hypocrite in front of them.

Core concept

A person whose public moral performance and actual conduct point in opposite directions.

Common phrases

  • un vrai hypocrite

    a genuine hypocrite

  • un hypocrite notoire

    a notorious hypocrite

Similar words

menteur: A person who says things that are not true.
fourbe: A person who secretly deceives others for personal gain.

Definition in French

Personne dont les paroles semblent morales mais dont les actes révèlent le contraire.

Word origin

The French noun hypocrite developed from Latin hypocrita, borrowed from Greek hypokritēs for an actor, then acquired its modern sense of a false moral pretender.

Usage tips

  • French hypocrite also works as an adjective, as in un comportement hypocrite, whereas English hypocrite is normally used as a noun.

Other meanings

  • hypocriticaladjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word