bon ami: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareInformal, Archaic/Humorous
Quick answer
What does “bon ami” mean?
A good friend.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A good friend; a close companion.
Specifically refers to a male friend; used informally to denote a boyfriend.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More likely to be encountered in British English, often in period literature or comedy. In American English, it is extremely rare and carries a stronger connotation of being a deliberate foreignism.
Connotations
Often has an ironic, quaint, or mock-sophisticated tone. May be used euphemistically for 'boyfriend' in a light-hearted way.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties, effectively obsolete in natural speech.
Grammar
How to Use “bon ami” in a Sentence
be + bon ami (e.g., He is my bon ami)have + bon ami (e.g., She has a bon ami in Paris)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used except in linguistic or literary analysis of French loans.
Everyday
Not used in modern everyday English.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bon ami”
- Using it seriously in modern conversation. Pronouncing 'ami' like 'Amy' (should be /æˈmiː/ or /ɑːˈmiː/). Treating it as an English compound noun with English grammar (e.g., 'bons amis').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic or humorous. Using it in normal conversation would sound very odd.
No. 'Ami' is masculine. The feminine form would be 'bonne amie', which is even rarer in English.
In English, it is typically pronounced with an approximation of the French sounds (/ˌbɒn æˈmiː/ or /ˌbɑːn ɑːˈmiː/), not as fully anglicised words.
'Boyfriend' is the closest modern equivalent for its most common historical usage.
A good friend.
Bon ami is usually informal, archaic/humorous in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common English idioms use this phrase. It is the idiom.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Bon' (like 'bon appetit' - good) + 'Ami' (sounds like 'amigo' - friend in Spanish). A 'good amigo'.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRIENDSHIP IS A PLEASANT/GOOD THING ('bon').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the phrase 'bon ami' be MOST appropriate?