The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

4.8

✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔ 632 pages, 147 lessons, 428 practical activities.

✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.

Buy on Amazon

Amazon Best Seller:

#1 Spelling & Vocabulary.

#1 Education TOEFL & TOEIC.

#1 Slang & Idiom Reference Books.

Transform Your Vocabulary!

claptrap

noun

/ˈklæpˌtræp/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of claptrap

Empty, exaggerated, or nonsensical talk or ideas, often intended to deceive or manipulate others.
"The politician's promises were just empty claptrap to gain votes."

Detailed meaning of claptrap

It conveys a sense of pretentiousness, insincerity, or deceitfulness in speech or writing. Claptrap typically consists of inflated or bombastic language used to impress or mislead, lacking substance or genuine meaning. It may involve exaggerated claims, false promises, or deliberate attempts to manipulate emotions or opinions. Claptrap can be employed for various purposes, such as political propaganda, marketing tactics, or manipulative rhetoric. The term is often used to criticize or dismiss ideas or statements perceived as shallow, misleading, or insincere. Claptrap is characterized by its lack of substance, relying instead on flashy or persuasive techniques to create an illusion of importance or validity.

Example sentences containing claptrap

1. His speech was filled with political claptrap, lacking substance.
2. She saw through his claptrap and refused to be swayed.
3. The advertisement was full of marketing claptrap.
4. Don't believe the claptrap they're selling; it's a scam.
5. His excuses were nothing but empty claptrap.
6. The article was riddled with scientific claptrap.

History and etymology of claptrap

The noun 'claptrap' has an intriguing etymology that reflects its deceptive and empty nature. It originates from the old theatrical practice of using a 'trap' or 'trapdoor' to create a sudden and loud noise, typically by clapping a board against a wooden surface. This was done to generate excitement or applause from the audience. Over time, the term 'claptrap' evolved to describe empty, exaggerated, or nonsensical talk or ideas designed to manipulate or deceive others, much like the noisy distractions employed in the theater. The etymology of 'claptrap' underscores its association with empty rhetoric and the artifice of creating a spectacle to garner attention or approval, rather than conveying meaningful or truthful content.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the noun claptrap:

answer1

answer2

answer3

answer4

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

Further usage examples of claptrap

1. Ignore the corporate claptrap and focus on facts.
2. The conspiracy theory was pure claptrap.
3. His promises turned out to be nothing but political claptrap.
4. They dismissed the speaker's religious claptrap.
5. Don't fall for their financial claptrap; it's a trap.
6. The movie's plot was a mess of cinematic claptrap.
7. The self-help book was filled with motivational claptrap.
8. She exposed the pseudoscience as claptrap.
9. His arguments were a mishmash of philosophical claptrap.
10. The product's claims were nothing but marketing claptrap.
11. The tabloid's headlines were sensationalistic claptrap.
12. The conspiracy theorist spouted endless claptrap.
13. The debate degenerated into partisan claptrap.
14. Their excuses for the delay sounded like bureaucratic claptrap.
15. His speech was nothing but a bunch of meaningless claptrap.
16. I couldn't stand listening to his claptrap about his so-called accomplishments.
17. The advertisement was filled with exaggerated claptrap to lure customers.
18. The article was full of pretentious claptrap, lacking any real substance.
19. She saw through his claptrap and recognized it as a manipulative tactic.
20. The movie was filled with clichéd claptrap, lacking originality or depth.
21. The salesman's pitch was filled with false claptrap to deceive potential buyers.
22. I quickly dismissed his argument as mere claptrap without any factual basis.
23. The author's book was criticized for being filled with pretentious claptrap.
24. The cult leader's speeches were nothing more than manipulative claptrap.
25. The magazine's article was filled with sensationalized claptrap to attract readers.