malapropism
Americannoun
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an act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion of words that are similar in sound.
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an instance of this, as in “Lead the way and we'll precede.”
noun
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the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one of similar sound, esp when creating a ridiculous effect, as in I am not under the affluence of alcohol
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the habit of misusing words in this manner
Discover More
Mrs. Malaprop, a character in an eighteenth-century British comedy, The Rivals, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, constantly confuses words. Malapropisms are named after her.
Other Word Forms
- malaprop adjective
- malapropistic adjective
Etymology
Origin of malapropism
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.
But Whitney’s malapropism cuts to the heart of it.
From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2023
In one of the funnier exchanges between him and Roy, Jamie delightfully defies expectations by rattling off the correct definition of a term often applied to him in response to a malapropism.
From Salon • Mar. 15, 2023
At one point, someone makes accidental reference to “quantum psychics,” a malapropism that perfectly describes Kaufman’s own field of expertise.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2020
It was the malapropism heard around certain corners of social media.
From Washington Post • Jul. 12, 2019
Were you able to find a malapropism in Huckleberry Finn?
From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander
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.
