embonpoint
Americannoun
noun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of embonpoint
From French, dating back to 1655–65, literally, in good condition
Explanation
Embonpoint is a fancy way to talk about someone's curvy or plump figure. Embonpoint, pronounced "ahm-bohn-PWAH," is, you guessed it, French in origin. It comes from the phrase "en bon point," which literally means "in good shape." Embonpoint is generally a compliment, not a criticism — it doesn't mean overweight or fat. You can use embonpoint as a noun or as an adjective: "Your embonpoint friend looks wonderfully curvy in her new dress." Although this word is usually used to describe bodies, the Romantic poet John Keats takes some poetic license when he describes eating a nectarine: “It went down soft, pulpy, slushy, oozy — all its delicious embonpoint melted down my throat like a large beatified Strawberry.”
Vocabulary lists containing embonpoint
English Words Derived from French, List 10
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Peter Pan
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Age of Innocence
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A lot of time is spent in airports, where there is “The pop of a Krispy Kreme sign and the tan embonpoint / Of Scotch bottles after customs to caress.”
From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2020
He’s carrying a bit of weight – you could almost say embonpoint.
From The Guardian • Mar. 31, 2016
Long taunted for his embonpoint, polite French for tubbiness, the affable pol used to garner dessert-inspired nicknames.
From Newsweek • Nov. 10, 2012
Tristan was played by the Canadian Ben Heppner, and he has a belly quite as superb as the diva's own embonpoint.
From The Guardian • Aug. 24, 2012
"And your embonpoint is to be a down cushion out of the library," put in Dee.
From Back at School with the Tucker Twins by Speed, Nell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
