denouement

American  

[dey-noo-mahn] / ˌdeɪ nuˈmɑ̃ /

Or dénouement

noun

1. the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.

2. the place in the plot at which this occurs.

3. the outcome or resolution of a doubtful series of occurrences.

   Synonyms:

   upshot, end, conclusion, solution

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denouement British  

/ deɪˈnuːmɒn, denumɑ̃ /

noun

1. 1. the final clarification or resolution of a plot in a play or other work

   2. the point at which this occurs

2. final outcome; solution

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dénouement Cultural  

1. The solution or outcome of the plot of a play or novel: “In the dénouement of many tragedies, the main character dies.”

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Etymology

Origin of denouement

First recorded in 1745–55; from French: literally, “an untying,” equivalent to dénouer “to untie,” Old French desnoer ( des- + noer “to knot,” from Latin nōdāre, derivative of nōdus “knot”) + -ment; de-, -ment

Example Sentences

After the film’s first screening, Weinstein demanded it be rewritten and reshot with a happy ending—but Stoppard fought to keep his denouement of “love lost, inspiration gained.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Before the denouement came one more opportunity to chastise the Australians, one more chance to be at the centre of a red-hot Ashes tussle.

From BBC

The ending, always the hardest thing to land in horror stories, falls short of perfection only because it’s almost glossed over; I missed the denouement on the first read.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is hope here and across the region that there may soon be a denouement to the war.

From Los Angeles Times

An intriguing denouement confirms that readers of icons from Charles Dickens to Anne Perry can do no better than spending time with Charles Lenox, his family and ever-widening circle of friends.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• climax
• culmination
• finale