View synonyms for bon mot

bon mot

[ bon moh; French bawn moh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural bons mots [bon, , mohz, baw, n, , moh].

bon mot

/ bɔ̃ mo /

Origin of bon mot¹

1725–35; < French: literally, good word; boon ², motto

Origin of bon mot¹

French, literally: good word

A talented cartoonist, distinguished practical joker, and recognized as one of the kings of bon mot, he led a free and easy life.

A joke, a banter, a bon-mot, make more impression upon the man of the world than all the grave notions of his religion.

A bon-mot of one of the Townsends is recorded, on his taking his seat.

The bon mot I was about to utter apropos of an opera I had never heard has left my mind entirely.

He also tells of an instance in parliament, and of a rather brilliant bon mot spoken upon that occasion.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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