double entendre

American  

[duhb-uhl ahn-tahn-druh, -tahnd, doo-blahn-tahn-dr^uh] / ˈdʌb əl ɑnˈtɑn drə, -ˈtɑnd, du blɑ̃ˈtɑ̃ drə /

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.

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double entendre British  

/ 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

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double-entendre Cultural  

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.”

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of double entendre

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

Example Sentences

“I mean, it has to fit with secular society. It’s got to have some double entendre about the Gospel.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 18, 2023

“We thought it was a double entendre that would work,” said June Millington, 74.

From New York Times • May 25, 2022

For all the obvious reasons — the alliteration, the inflection towards "Breaking Bad," the double entendre of breaking bread with people.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2022

As in “Godot,” there is hardly any plot in “Pass Over”; the title itself is a biblical double entendre.

From Washington Post • Aug. 22, 2021

“You look a little . . . Pardon the double entendre, my friend, but there’s something a little worrisome in your eyes.”

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green

Related Words

• innuendo
• pun