bon mot
/bʤɳ'mou/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A clever remark: A witty or smartly phrased comment, often demonstrating quick thinking and verbal skill. It is typically a short, memorable saying intended to be amusing or insightful.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The dinner guest charmed everyone with a series of well-timed bons mots.
- Her speech was sprinkled with clever bons mots that kept the audience engaged.
- He is famous for his ability to deliver a perfect bon mot in any situation.
Advanced Usage
"to have a ready supply of bons mots": to be consistently witty and able to produce clever remarks easily.
- As a talk show host, she has a ready supply of bons mots for every guest.
"the art of the bon mot": the skill of making witty remarks.
- He studied the great conversationalists to master the art of the bon mot.
Variants and Related Words
Witticism (n): A witty remark. (A close synonym, though sometimes considered slightly less elegant than a bon mot).
- The essay was full of sharp witticisms.
Epigram (n): A concise, clever, and often paradoxical statement. (This is a more formal, literary cousin of the bon mot).
- Oscar Wilde was a master of the epigram.
Synonyms
- Quip: A clever, witty, or sarcastic remark.
- Jest: A joke or witty remark.
- Repartee: Quick, witty conversation or replies.
Notes on Usage
- Plural Form: The standard plural is bons mots. The pronunciation of the final 's' in 'mot' is typically silent in both singular and plural.
- Register: This is a term of French origin used in formal or literary English to describe a particularly elegant and clever remark. It is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation.
- Context: A bon mot is specifically a spoken or written remark. It is not used to describe a general sense of humor or a funny situation, but rather a specific, clever utterance.
Noun
- a clever remark