top of page

malarkey

IPA

How to pronounce malarkey (audio)
The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

Dictionary definition of malarkey

Speech or writing that is considered to be nonsense or meaningless
"I'm tired of all this malarkey, let's move on to more important things."

Detailed meaning of malarkey

It is often used to describe statements that are untrue or exaggerated, or ideas that are not supported by evidence. The term 'malarkey' is often used in informal or colloquial contexts, and can be seen as a way of dismissing or ridiculing ideas that are considered to be foolish or ridiculous. It can also be used to describe behavior or actions that are seen as foolish or pointless. Overall, the word 'malarkey' is used to convey a sense of skepticism or disbelief towards statements or ideas that are not credible or reliable.

Example sentences containing malarkey

1. The politician's speech was filled with empty promises and malarkey.
2. Don't listen to his malarkey; he's just trying to sell you a fake product.
3. The salesman's pitch was nothing but malarkey designed to deceive customers.
4. She rolled her eyes at his malarkey and walked away, unimpressed.
5. The detective saw through the suspect's malarkey and continued to pursue the truth.
6. His excuse for being late was pure malarkey; we all knew he just overslept.

History and etymology of malarkey

The noun 'malarkey' has a somewhat uncertain etymology, but it is believed to have Irish-American origins, possibly deriving from the Irish surname 'Malarkey.' It gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century as a slang term for speech or writing perceived as nonsense or meaningless. While the exact connection to the surname remains unclear, 'malarkey' has come to represent a colloquial expression for empty or deceptive talk, often used to dismiss or criticize statements lacking substance or credibility. Despite its uncertain linguistic origins, 'malarkey' has become a well-recognized term in American English for describing verbal or written nonsense.

Quiz: Find the meaning of malarkey

Try Again!

Correct!

Further usage examples of malarkey

1. The conspiracy theory was nothing but baseless malarkey with no evidence to support it.
2. The comedian's routine was filled with witty banter and hilarious malarkey.
3. He tried to convince us with his malarkey, but we knew better than to believe him.
4. The news article was filled with sensationalized malarkey, lacking factual accuracy.
5. The debate quickly turned into a heated exchange of insults and malarkey.
6. The politician's campaign was built on a foundation of malarkey and false promises.
7. His explanation for his actions was a bunch of malarkey; nobody bought his excuse.
8. She dismissed his flirtatious remarks as malarkey and kept her distance.
9. The advertisement was filled with exaggerated claims and malarkey to attract customers.
10. The jury saw through the defendant's malarkey and found him guilty.
11. His attempt to convince us with his malarkey only made us question his credibility even more.
12. The children giggled and laughed at their grandfather's playful malarkey.
13. The company's press release was filled with corporate malarkey, trying to mask their failures.
14. His story about encountering aliens was dismissed as malarkey by the scientific community.

nonsense, sense, logic, reason

Prefix mal-, High School 3, Comedy and Silliness, Conversation and Expression

balderdash,claptrap,codswallop,drivel,hogwash,poppycock,twaddle

eb68db_ce437814d4da492699562f8ce6519c2e.mp3

baloney,piffle,tosh

bottom of page