enfant terrible

American  

[ahn-fahn te-ree-bl^uh] / ɑ̃ fɑ̃ tɛˈri blə /

noun

French.

enfants terribles plural

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.

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enfant terrible British  

/ ɑ̃fɑ̃ tɛriblə /

noun

1. a person given to unconventional conduct or indiscreet remarks

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enfant terrible Cultural  

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.”

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• enfants terribles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of enfant terrible

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

Example Sentences

A transitional film to get him out of the enfant terrible period of his earliest work, “Punch Drunk Love” remains a fulcrum point in Anderson’s career.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2025

Sinema was something of the enfant terrible of the Senate, albeit in the body of a Gen X woman fond of jewel-tone dresses and statement jewelry.

From Slate • Mar. 7, 2024

Von Trier, often referred to as the "enfant terrible" of contemporary cinema, was in "good spirits" and is being treated for his symptoms, Zentropa said in a statement.

From Reuters • Aug. 8, 2022

On the one hand, Mr. Brook was the enfant terrible with a talent for resuscitating classic plays and drawing major performances from major actors.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2022

Hearing Joshua give Rabelaisian nonstop talks of three to five hours made it all too clear that he was an enfant terrible.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson