denouement

or dé·noue·ment

[ dey-noo-mahn ]

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

denouement

/ 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

dénouement

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of denouement¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of denouement¹

C18: from French, literally: an untying, from dénouer to untie, from Old French desnoer, from des- de- + noer to tie, knot, from Latin nōdāre, from nōdus a knot; see node

Example Sentences

Savage Coast uses this technique to great effect, especially as the novel builds to its determined, grimly triumphant dénouement.

From The Daily Beast

If you'd like, for the dénouement, scream something at the top of your lungs that only a dog could hear.

From The Daily Beast

He now expected with some impatience the dénouement of the comedy.

From Project Gutenberg

At the dénouement, he recalls this lesson read to him by the innocent girl, and applies it to his own experience.

From Project Gutenberg

For the reader's sake, and for my own as well, I shall pass hurriedly over the dénouement.

From Project Gutenberg

The most amusing part of the story consists in its dénouement.

From Project Gutenberg

The dénouement of the little drama was so amazingly unexpected, so unexpectedly ludicrous.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• climax
• culmination
• finale