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entente cordiale

American  
[ahn-tahnt kawr-dyahl, ahn-tahnt kawr-dyal] / ɑnˈtɑnt kɔrˈdjɑl, ɑ̃ˈtɑ̃t kɔrˈdjal /

noun

  1. a friendly understanding, especially between two or more nations.


entente cordiale British  
/ ɑ̃tɑ̃t kɔrdjal /

noun

  1. a friendly understanding between political powers: less formal than an alliance

  2. (often capitals) the understanding reached by France and Britain in April 1904, which settled outstanding colonial disputes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of entente cordiale

Borrowed into English from French around 1835–45

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.

They want you to swallow, in one savory sitting, their tale of colliding cultures reaching an entente cordiale.

From Time • Aug. 7, 2014

Here he embraces the entente cordiale with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in 2009.

From BBC • May 14, 2013

"Watson's French foray lacking in entente cordiale," a headline in the Independent said.

From Golf Digest • Jul. 4, 2011

I hope I won't ruin our new entente cordiale by observing that, sitting opposite him, I suddenly missed my grandfather.

From The Guardian • Apr. 2, 2011

So St. Cyprian's and Templeton girls might be seen chatting about hockey, and Newington Green discussing the magazine with the Anglo-German, and a general entente cordiale reigned supreme.

From The Girls of St. Cyprian's A Tale of School Life by Brazil, Angela

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