A cynic is someone who will not easily believe that people have good, honest reasons. You donate money; a cynic says you only want to look kind. A friend praises you; a cynic waits for the favour they will ask next. In everyday English this is the main meaning, and it is a little sharp — not a compliment, though some people say “I’m just a cynic” as if it were wisdom. The adjective cynical and the noun cynicism show up even more than cynic itself. Though actually, the word is older than this sour mood. In ancient Greece the Cynics were philosophers who lived very simply and snapped at empty manners and show. Later people tied the name to the Greek word for “dog,” because their ways seemed rough. Today’s cynic is rarely a philosopher in a torn coat. They are just someone who doubts nice motives — about ads, politics, or love. You can be a bit of a cynic about marketing without hating the whole world.