How Do You Spell HYPOCRISY?

Pronunciation: [hɪpˈɒkɹəsi] (IPA)

Hypocrisy is a word that refers to the act of pretending to have moral standards or beliefs that one does not actually hold. It is often mispronounced as "hippocrisy," but the correct pronunciation is hip-OK-ruh-see. The "hypo" part comes from the Greek prefix meaning "under," and the "crisy" part comes from the Greek word "krinein" meaning "to judge." Therefore, the correct spelling and pronunciation of this word emphasize the contrast between what is claimed and what is actually done, as in cases of deception or insincerity.

HYPOCRISY Meaning and Definition

1. Hypocrisy is a noun that refers to the act of pretending to have ethical beliefs, principles, or virtues that one does not actually possess, or inconsistency between one's actions and stated beliefs. It is a form of deceitful behavior in which an individual or group professes to embody certain values or morals, but their actions contradict these assertions.

   The concept of hypocrisy is rooted in the perception of a double standard, where a person holds others to a certain standard while exempting themselves from those same expectations. It involves the deliberate manipulation of appearances and the projection of false impressions. Hypocrisy often involves the utilization of rhetoric or moralistic language to gain influence, power, or to appear virtuous.

   At a personal level, hypocrisy can be seen when someone criticizes others for their behavior while engaging in the same behavior themselves without acknowledging the contradiction. It can also manifest at a societal level when organizations or governments claim to promote certain values while acting in ways that contradict those principles.

   Hypocrisy can be seen as a form of dishonesty, as it entails presenting a false image of oneself or one's beliefs. It erodes trust among individuals and can undermine credibility, as actions speak louder than words. Recognizing and admonishing hypocrisy can encourage more authentic behavior and promote a higher level of integrity within society.

2. A feigning to be what one is not; concealment of one's real character or motives.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for HYPOCRISY *

• hypocracy 37.8006872%
• hypocricy 30.927835%
• hypocrasy 8.0756013%
• hyprocrisy 5.8419243%
• hipocrisy 1.5463917%
• hypacrisy 1.3745704%
• hipocricy 1.2027491%
• hypocrysy 1.2027491%
• hypocrocy 0.6872852%
• hypocrity 0.6872852%
• hypocrspy 0.3436426%
• hyprocricy 0.3436426%
• hypocrissy 0.3436426%
• hypocrosy 0.3436426%
• hypocrsy 0.3436426%
• hyocrisy 0.3436426%
• hypcricy 0.3436426%
• hyporcrisy 0.3436426%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for HYPOCRISY

• hypochricy
• hypocrits
• hipcrisy
• hyposcrisy
• hypocrist
• hypocrism
• hippocrisy
• hypocriciy
• hipocresy
• hypocrisys
• hypocisy
• hypocry
• hyprocrasy
• hypocrises
• hipocrasy
• hypocray
• hypcrisy
• hpocrisy
• hypocrise
• hypocrispy
• hipocris
• Hypocrase
• Hypocrisim
• Hypocsis

Etymology of HYPOCRISY

The word "hypocrisy" can be traced back to Ancient Greek origins. It comes from the Greek word "hypokrisis", which originally referred to acting on stage or playing a part. This term was derived from the verb "hypokrinomai", meaning "to pretend" or "to act". Over time, the term "hypocrisy" evolved to denote the act of insincerely pretending to possess moral standards, beliefs, or virtues that one does not genuinely hold.

Similar spelling words for HYPOCRISY

• hypocreales,
• hypochoeris,
• hypocrite,
• hypocorism,
• hypocritical,
• hypochaeris.

Plural form of HYPOCRISY is HYPOCRISIES