double entendre
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A word, phrase, or statement that has two meanings, one of which is usually obvious and innocent, while the other is often risqué, suggestive, or sexually explicit. It is a form of deliberate ambiguity used for humorous or clever effect.
Usage
A "double entendre" is used to create wit, humor, or a subtle, often suggestive, implication. It is common in literature, comedy, advertising, and everyday conversation where a clever play on words is intended. The primary, surface-level meaning is typically straightforward, while the secondary meaning is the one that carries the intended, often cheeky, implication.
Examples
- The comedian's joke was a clever double entendre that made the audience laugh.
- Many song lyrics from that era are full of subtle double entendres.
- The advertisement's slogan was a double entendre, appealing to both a literal and a suggestive interpretation.
Advanced Usage
- To be full of double entendre: Describes speech or writing that contains many such ambiguous phrases.
- His speech was witty and full of double entendre.
- A deliberate/double entendre: Emphasizes the intentional nature of the ambiguity.
- The line was not an accident; it was a deliberate double entendre.
Variants and Related Words
- Pun: A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words that sound alike but have different meanings. While related, a pun is often broader and not necessarily suggestive.
- Innuendo: An indirect or subtle observation, usually derogatory or suggestive. An innuendo often implies something without using a double-meaning word, whereas a double entendre relies on the dual meanings of the words themselves.
Synonyms
- Ambiguity
- Equivocation
- Play on words
Idioms and Phrases
- A risqué double entendre: Specifically highlights the suggestive or indecent secondary meaning.
- The play was famous for its risqué double entendres.
Noun
- an ambiguity with one interpretation that is indelicate