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• double entendre
  double entendre

  noun

  a double meaning.
• double-entendre
  double-entendre

  A word or expression that has two different meanings (in French, double-entendre means “double meaning”), one of which is often bawdy or indelicate. A double-entendre is found in this sentence: “A nudist camp is simply a place where men and women meet to air their differences.”

double entendre

American  

[duhb-uhl ahn-tahn-druh, -tahnd, doo-blahn-tahn-dr^uh] / ˈdʌb əl ɑnˈtɑn drə, -ˈtɑnd, du blɑ̃ˈtɑ̃ drə /

noun

double entendres plural

1. a double meaning.

2. a word or expression used in a given context so that it can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué.

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double entendre British  

/ dubl ɑ̃tɑ̃drə, ˈdʌbəl ɑːnˈtɑːndrə, -ˈtɑːnd /

noun

1. a word, phrase, etc, that can be interpreted in two ways, esp one having one meaning that is indelicate

2. the type of humour that depends upon such ambiguity

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double-entendre Cultural  

1. A word or expression that has two different meanings (in French, double-entendre means “double meaning”), one of which is often bawdy or indelicate. A double-entendre is found in this sentence: “A nudist camp is simply a place where men and women meet to air their differences.”

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Usage

What else does double entendre mean? A double entendre is a word or expression that can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué. If you've ever cracked a that's what she said joke, you've created a double entendre.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• double entendres
  plural

Etymology

Origin of double entendre

From obsolete French, dating back to 1665–75; see origin at double, intend

Example Sentences

“Bab’s Uvula”: This first-season skit is filled with the kind of double entendre and quick wit that carved a path for the best of “SNL’s” skits.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2024

“I mean, it has to fit with secular society. It’s got to have some double entendre about the Gospel.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 18, 2023

The title, “I Swear,” is a double entendre that will be immediately recognizable to aficionados of the representative’s salty style.

From Washington Post • Apr. 5, 2023

“It was all double entendre, and hidden meaning, deeply wonderful stuff and no doubt would have thrilled anyone familiar with Polari, to hear it on the radio, and know what it meant,” Mr. Green said.

From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2022

He had a chip on his shoulder: it was a sort of black joke he shared with himself, a double entendre, made silently.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Related Words

• innuendo
• pun