bon mot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary, sophisticated, educated
Quick answer
What does “bon mot” mean?
A clever, witty, or well-phrased remark.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A clever, witty, or well-phrased remark.
A brief, elegantly expressed observation, often humorous or critical, that demonstrates quick wit and verbal dexterity. It implies a polished, socially adept form of cleverness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English, reflecting a historical affinity for French loanwords and a specific tradition of polished conversation. American usage is slightly more niche, often in literary or academic contexts.
Connotations
In British English, it can carry a subtle, sometimes self-aware, connotation of affectation or old-fashioned refinement. In American English, it often sounds distinctly erudite or highbrow.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties. Used most by highly educated speakers and in writing about language, literature, or social commentary. More likely to be encountered in a British broadsheet or literary review than in general conversation anywhere.
Grammar
How to Use “bon mot” in a Sentence
deliver/utter a bon mot about [topic]be known for one's bon motsthe evening was full of witty bon motsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bon mot” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused, except perhaps in a metaphorical way in describing a CEO's pithy public statement (e.g., 'The CEO's bon mot about market volatility was quoted widely.').
Academic
Used in literary criticism, rhetoric, or historical studies discussing figures like Oscar Wilde or Dorothy Parker.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Using it in casual conversation would likely be seen as pretentious.
Technical
Not applicable in technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bon mot”
- Spelling: 'bonmo', 'bonmote', 'bon moto'.
- Pronunciation: pronouncing the 't' in 'mot' (it's silent).
- Using it to describe any funny statement, rather than a specifically clever or elegant one.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While a bon mot can be humorous, its defining features are cleverness, verbal polish, and wit. A simple joke or pun may lack the sophistication implied by 'bon mot'.
No. In the standard English pronunciation of this French loanphrase, the 't' in 'mot' is silent. The final sound is the vowel (ʊ in RP, oʊ in GenAm).
Rarely. It is almost always positive, describing admired wit. However, it could be used with a hint of irony to suggest someone is trying too hard to be clever ('another of his tedious bon mots').
The standard plural is 'bons mots'. This follows French grammatical rules, where the adjective 'bon' agrees in number with the noun 'mot'.
A clever, witty, or well-phrased remark.
Bon mot is usually formal, literary, sophisticated, educated in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BON (good) French chef presenting a perfectly crafted MO-T (mote) of dust – but this mote is a perfect, sparkling piece of wit.
Conceptual Metaphor
WIT IS A SHARP INSTRUMENT (crafted, polished, delivered); CONVERSATION IS A BATTLE/PERFORMANCE (a bon mot is a skillful move).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'bon mot' MOST appropriately used?