A popinjay is a person who is excessively concerned with their appearance, behavior, or ostentation, often to the point of being vain or frivolous. Historically, the term referred to a parrot, emphasizing a person's tendency to mimic others for show. It carries a connotation of superficiality and showiness, often used pejoratively.
Popinjay meaning with examples
- At the party, his loud clothing and incessant self-promotion made him the quintessential popinjay, overshadowing the more genuine guests who were simply enjoying the evening without needing attention.
- Despite her impressive qualifications, her popinjay antics during the presentation, such as constantly adjusting her hair and checking her reflection, left her audience unimpressed and distracted.
- As a social media influencer, she often comes across as a popinjay, prioritizing likes and vanity over authenticity, leading her followers to question her true character.
- The popinjay of the office was more focused on his stylish shoes than the team's project, often making grandiose statements that lacked substance or practicality.
- In the world of theater, the character of the popinjay provided comic relief, with his exaggerated mannerisms and flamboyant speech, ultimately highlighting the foolishness of vanity.
Popinjay Synonyms
braggart dandy egotist exhibitionist flamboyant flashy fop fopdoodle loudmouth narcissist ostentatious peacock poser pretender self-promoter show-off swell vain vainglorious windbagPopinjay Antonyms
authentic cloistered down-to-earth genuine humble inconspicuous modest ordinary plain real reserved retiring self-deprecating self-effacing shy simple sincere subdued unassuming unostentatious unpretentiousPopinjay Crossword Answers
3 Letters
FOP
4 Letters
SNOB
7 Letters
COXCOMB