Pontificate

Pronunciation: /pɑːnˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt/

Definitions of pontificate

verb to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way

Example Sentences

A1 She likes to pontificate about her favorite TV shows.

A2 He pontificates on politics every chance he gets.

B1 The professor pontificated on the importance of critical thinking in education.

B2 The expert pontificated at length about the future of technology.

C1 The author pontificates in his latest book about the nature of reality.

C2 The philosopher is known for pontificating on existential questions.

Examples of pontificate in a Sentence

formal The professor liked to pontificate on various philosophical topics during his lectures.

informal My uncle loves to pontificate about politics at family gatherings.

slang Don't listen to him, he's just pontificating again.

figurative The CEO's speech was filled with empty pontifications about company values.

Grammatical Forms of pontificate

• past tense: pontificated
• plural: pontificates
• comparative: more pontifical
• superlative: most pontifical
• present tense: pontificates
• future tense: will pontificate
• perfect tense: have pontificated
• continuous tense: is pontificating
• singular: pontificate
• positive degree: pontifical
• infinitive: to pontificate
• gerund: pontificating
• participle: pontificating

Origin and Evolution of pontificate

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'pontificate' originates from the Latin word 'pontificatus', which is derived from 'pontifex' meaning 'bridge-builder' or 'high priest'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to the office or term of a pontiff in the Roman Catholic Church, the word 'pontificate' has evolved to also mean to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way.