What does trumpery mean?
Trumpery is a disparaging noun for objects, display, or activity that appear impressive but are regarded as trifling, insubstantial, or worthless. The term is especially associated with gaudy ornaments, cheap decorative objects, and ostentatious behavior, although it can also characterize elaborate ceremonies, rituals, or pretensions whose importance is doubtful. Although modern speakers generally use the word in a humorous or deliberately old-fashioned manner, it was once common in literary and political criticism. It is usually treated as an uncountable mass noun when referring to a category of decorative things; the plural "trumperies" is rare. As an adjective, trumpery describes what belongs to this realm of empty show or trivial display. The word is useful when the speaker wants not merely to call something insignificant, but to suggest that its apparent splendor conceals a lack of genuine value or substance.
Objects, adornments, or displays regarded as trifling, ostentatious, or of little real value.
"The exhibition was marketed as a spectacle, but critics dismissed it as gilded trumpery."
Commonly used as a mass noun in its modern sense; the plural is uncommon.
Pertaining to or consisting of things regarded as trifling, ostentatious, or worthless.
"The critic dismissed the ornate display as trumpery."
Rare and chiefly literary; it is more common for the word to function as a noun.
Rare; trumpery is normally used as an uncountable mass noun.
"The vendors sold a variety of musical trumperies that had little practical use."
Once a stern word for deception, trumpery drifted into the world of gilded trinkets and empty show.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does trumpery come from?
The word entered English in the late Middle English period from Middle French "tromperie," meaning deceit or deception and formed from "tromper," meaning to deceive. Its sense developed by extension from deceitful dealing to showy or trifling things considered worthless, and it became especially common in the 16th through 18th centuries. The related English word "trump" in the sense "deceive" shares this French etymological line, while the familiar card-game sense of "trump" comes through a different French source.
Related word forms
How trumpery is actually used
Chiefly literary, archaic, or deliberately dismissive in modern use. The word is often more disparaging than the neutral words "ornaments" or "decorations," since it implies both worthlessness and ostentation.
Easily confused with trumpery
Trumpery means trifling or ostentatious things of little value, whereas trump most commonly denotes a card that wins a trick or means to overcome an obstacle.