blague: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “blague” mean?
A joke or humorous anecdote, often implying something said or done in jest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A joke or humorous anecdote, often implying something said or done in jest.
A piece of light-hearted deception or trickery; a hoax or practical joke. Can also refer to boastful or insincere talk.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more recognised in British English due to historical French influence, but very rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a certain old-world, literary, or intellectual style. Using it may sound affected or deliberately erudite.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday speech for both BrE and AmE. Primarily found in literary contexts, essays, or by speakers deliberately using a foreign term.
Grammar
How to Use “blague” in a Sentence
tell [someone] a blagueperpetrate a blague on [someone]the whole thing was a blagueVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blague” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He tried to blague his way out of the situation with a witty story.
- They were merely blaguing, with no intent to deceive.
American English
- She blagued about her connections to get backstage.
- Don't blague me, tell me the truth.
adverb
British English
- He said it blaguingly, but some people believed him.
- She smiled blaguingly as she revealed the trick.
American English
- He spoke blaguingly, making the whole story hard to trust.
- She winked blaguingly after telling the tall tale.
adjective
British English
- His blague remarks were not appreciated in the serious meeting.
- A blague tone pervaded the entire speech.
American English
- It was a blague proposal, never meant to be taken seriously.
- He has a blague personality, always joking.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, might appear in literary criticism or essays discussing French culture/humour.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Using it would be marked as unusual or pretentious.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blague”
- Mispronouncing it as /bleɪɡ/ (like 'plague').
- Using it in casual conversation where 'joke' or 'prank' is expected, sounding unnatural.
- Spelling it as 'blag' (which is a different, informal word).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and has a distinctly literary or affected tone. Native speakers would almost always use 'joke', 'prank', or 'hoax' instead.
Yes, but it is extremely rare. To 'blague' means to joke or talk boastfully/insincerely. Its use is highly marked and stylised.
A 'blague' often carries a connotation of a more elaborate, witty, or slightly deceptive jest, sometimes with a French or intellectual flair, whereas 'joke' is the neutral, everyday term.
Pronounce it like 'blahg' (/blɑːɡ/), rhyming with 'vague'. The 'a' is a long 'ah' sound, not like the 'ay' in 'plague'.
A joke or humorous anecdote, often implying something said or done in jest.
Blague is usually formal/literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's all a blague.”
- “Don't believe him, it's just one of his blagues.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'bag' of tricks used for a joke. BLAGUE sounds like 'bag' – a bag full of jokes.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS A PERFORMANCE (a blague is a staged act meant to amuse or trick).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'blague' LEAST likely to be used naturally?