bons mots

A guest tells a few bons mots at the dinner party.

Definition

Noun (plural; singular: bon mot) - A clever, witty, or well-turned remark or comment, often delivered in conversation to amuse or impress.

Usage Examples

• (She made clever, humorous remarks.)
• (His speech contained many witty comments.)
• (The critic was famous for his clever, incisive remarks.)

Advanced Usage

• "to drop a bon mot": to make a witty remark, often in a casual or offhand manner.

  • He dropped a bon mot about the weather that lightened the mood. (He made a clever comment about the weather.)

• "a string of bons mots": a series of witty remarks delivered in quick succession.

  • The comedian’s routine was a string of bons mots that had the audience in stitches. (The comedian’s performance consisted of many clever, funny lines.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bon mot (n, singular): a single witty remark.

  • That bon mot about the traffic was perfect. (That clever comment about the traffic was ideal.)

• Mots justes (n, plural): the exactly right words for a situation; precise phrasing.

  • Her mots justes captured the essence of the argument. (Her perfectly chosen words expressed the argument’s core.)

Synonyms

• Witticism: a witty or clever remark.
• Quip: a sharp, clever, or humorous comment.
• Epigram: a short, witty, and often satirical saying.
• Repartee: a quick, witty reply.

Related Idioms

• "a bon mot is a sharp tool": a metaphorical expression meaning that witty remarks can be effective but also potentially hurtful.
  • He used his bons mots as a weapon in debates. (He employed clever remarks to win arguments.)

Etymology Note

• Borrowed from French, where means "good" and means "word." Literally "good words." The term entered English in the 18th century and retains its French spelling and plural form.