enfant terrible

[ahn-fahn te-ree-bl^uh]

noun

French.

plural

enfants terribles 

1. an incorrigible child, as one whose behavior is embarrassing.

2. an outrageously outspoken or bold person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things.

3. a person whose work, thought, or lifestyle is so unconventional or avant-garde as to appear revolutionary or shocking.

enfant terrible

/ ɑ̃fɑ̃ tɛriblə /

noun

1. a person given to unconventional conduct or indiscreet remarks

enfant terrible

1. A person who stirs things up in an irresponsible or indiscreet way or has unconventional ideas: “Doctor Hill keeps writing articles that criticize his fellow physicians; he is becoming known as the enfant terrible of his profession.” From French, meaning “terrible child.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of enfant terrible¹

First recorded in 1850–55; literally, “terrible child”

Word History and Origins

Origin of enfant terrible¹

C19: literally: terrible child