double entendre

[duhb-uhl ahn-tahn-druh, -tahnd, doo-blahn-tahn-dr^uh]

noun

plural

double entendres 

1. a double meaning.

2. a word or expression used in a given context so that it can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué.

double entendre

/ dubl ɑ̃tɑ̃drə, ˈdʌbəl ɑːnˈtɑːndrə, -ˈtɑːnd /

noun

1. a word, phrase, etc, that can be interpreted in two ways, esp one having one meaning that is indelicate

2. the type of humour that depends upon such ambiguity

double-entendre

1. A word or expression that has two different meanings (in French, double-entendre means “double meaning”), one of which is often bawdy or indelicate. A double-entendre is found in this sentence: “A nudist camp is simply a place where men and women meet to air their differences.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of double-entendre¹

From obsolete French, dating back to 1665–75; double, intend

Word History and Origins

Origin of double-entendre¹

C17: from obsolete French: double meaning

Related Words

• innuendo 
• pun 

When To Use

What else does double entendre mean?

A double entendre is a word or expression that can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué. If you've ever cracked a that's what she said joke, you've created a double entendre.