bonsoir

[ bawn-swar ]

interjection

, French.

1. good evening; good night.

Example Sentences

I saw him out to the gate and there was a brave ring in his "bonsoir, mon vieux," as he swung off in the dusk of the starlit road.

From Project Gutenberg

When Yvonne had finished her soup, and eaten all her bread, she rose and with another timid "Bonsoir" slipped away to bed.

From Project Gutenberg

Charlotte Corday gave Marat "Bonsoir, citoyen," ere she drove her knife.

From Project Gutenberg

"I have the honour to wish madame a bonsoir," said he, but the lady was still sulky and vouchsafed no answer.

From Project Gutenberg

A selection of the untruths published in the French press during the war has been reproduced by the Paris journal, Bonsoir.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Bonsoir

What does bonsoir mean?

Bonsoir means good evening or good night.

Bonsoir is borrowed directly from French, in which it means the same thing.

Like many other expressions that have been borrowed from French (such as the more well-known bonjour, meaning “good day,” “good morning,” or simply “hello”), bonsoir is typically used in English to be a bit fancy or sound sophisticated.

Example: Bonsoir, bon ami—until we meet again!

Where does bonsoir come from?

The French word bonsoir is a combination of two French words: bon, meaning “good,” and soir, meaning “evening.” Both of these appear in many common English terms that have been borrowed from French, such as bon voyage, bon appétit, and soiree (which refers to an evening party).

French speakers say bonsoir in just about the same way that English speakers say good evening—as a greeting or expression of farewell used at night. It is similar to but distinct from the French expression bonne soirée, which literally means “good evening” but is often used to refer to later parts of the night or in reference to a party. Bonsoir is one of the many phrases adopted into English from French that are often associated with sophistication (or at least attempted sophistication).

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for bonsoir?

• good evening
• good night

What are some words that share a root or word element with bonsoir? 

 

• bonjour
• bonbon
• soiree
• bon appétit
• bon voyage
• bon ami

What are some words that often get used in discussing bonsoir?

• evening
• night
• farewell
• parting
• polite
• formal

How is bonsoir used in real life?

English speakers typically used bonsoir as a classy way of saying good evening.

#printchat bonsoir everyone. Happy to be with you again, even slightly late 😀

— Stéphanie Chaillaud (@SChaillaud) May 6, 2020

Bonsoir my friend.. thank you so much 💖🌷🌷🌷🌷

— Vera Curaj-Minuz (@VMinuz) May 6, 2020

Bonsoir Twitter✌
Enjoy this sunset😉😘 pic.twitter.com/bU8a7dgkgq

— Kristin Lisa Carlson👑 (@KristinLisaCar1) May 6, 2020

 

 

Try using bonsoir!

What does the bon part of bonsoir mean?

A. hello
B. evening
C. night
D. good