jeu de mots
Americannoun
plural
jeux de motsEtymology
Origin of jeu de mots
Literally, “play of words”
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.
"And yet I have heard your Grace indulge in the jeu de mots," answered the attendant.
From Peveril of the Peak by Scott, Walter, Sir
It is simply a jeu de mots, and no more, though funny enough as it stands.
From By-ways in Book-land Short Essays on Literary Subjects by Adams, William Davenport
"Come, come, you little humbug, take off that gigantic sacque, and sit down here; upun my word I won't make any more of those nasty jeu de mots."
From Honor Edgeworth Ottawa's Present Tense by Vera, [pseud.]
Now and again he chuckled as some jeu de mots hit the mark and drew a quick gust of laughter from the unseen audience.
From The Head of Kay's by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)
The audience thereupon exclaimed, "Languille crie avant qu'on l'�corche;" and hence the "jeu de mots," and the proverb.
From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 89, July 12, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc. by Various
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.