bon mot

[ bon moh; French bawn moh ]

/ ˈbɒn ˈmoʊ; French bɔ̃ ˈmoʊ /

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noun, plural bons mots [bon mohz; French bawn moh] /ˈbɒn ˈmoʊz; French bɔ̃ ˈmoʊ/.

a witty remark or comment; clever saying; witticism.

Nearby words

bon, bon ami, bon appétit, bon gré, mal gré, bon marché, bon mot, bon ton, bon vivant, bon voyage, bona, bona dea

Origin of bon mot

1725–35; < French: literally, good word; see boon², motto

Can be confused

bon mot mot juste

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bon mot

Those who held him were disarmed, the bon-mot flew through the croud, and the Abbe escaped while they were applauding it.
A Residence in France During the Years 1792, 1793, 1794 and 1795, Part I. 1792|An English Lady
The bon-mot of Talleyrand is going the round: 'It is really time that Russian czars changed their manner of dying.'
The Green Book|Mr Jkai
A joke, a banter, a bon-mot, make more impression upon the man of the world than all the grave notions of his religion.
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
There is recorded a bon-mot of Sir Thomas on the birth of his son.
Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors and Architects, and Curiosities of Art, (Vol. 2 of 3)|Shearjashub Spooner

Macrobius tells us that Cicero, by the happiness of a bon-mot, brought the accused off safely, though he was manifestly guilty.
Life of Cicero|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for bon mot

bon mot

/ (French bɔ̃ mo) /

noun plural bons mots (bɔ̃ mo)

a clever and fitting remark

Word Origin for bon mot

French, literally: good word

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012