jeu d'esprit

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Explanation of "jeu d'esprit"

Definition:
"Jeu d'esprit" is a French term that means a witty or clever comment, piece of writing, or a playful idea. In English, it is used to describe something that is smart and entertaining, often showing a lot of creativity and intelligence.

Usage Instructions

• Part of Speech: Noun
• How to Use: You can use "jeu d'esprit" to refer to a specific remark, a short piece of writing (like a poem or a story), or even an entire work that is clever and amusing.

Example

• "The author's latest novel is full of jeux d'esprit, making it both enjoyable and thought-provoking."
• "During the dinner party, John made a brilliant jeu d'esprit that had everyone laughing."

Advanced Usage

In more advanced contexts, "jeu d'esprit" can be used to discuss works of literature, art, or performance that are not only entertaining but also showcase intellectual depth. For example, a film that uses humor to critique society might be described as having a lot of jeux d'esprit.

Word Variants

• There are no direct variants of "jeu d'esprit" in English, but you might encounter it in its French form, especially in literary discussions.
• Related terms include "witticism" (a clever remark) and "epigram" (a brief, clever, and usually memorable statement).

Different Meanings

"Jeu d'esprit" primarily refers to wit and cleverness, but it can also imply a light-hearted or playful approach to a serious subject.

Synonyms

• Wit
• Cleverness
• Humor
• Quip

Idioms & Phrasal Verbs

• While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that correlate perfectly with "jeu d'esprit," you can use phrases like "play on words" or "pun" to describe similar cleverness in language.

Summary

Remember, "jeu d'esprit" is a term that celebrates intelligence and humor.

Academic

Noun

1. a witty comment or writing