boutade: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / LearnedFormal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “boutade” mean?
A sudden, witty, or unexpected outburst, often in the form of a remark, jest, or witty sally.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sudden, witty, or unexpected outburst, often in the form of a remark, jest, or witty sally.
A quick, clever, and often provocative or whimsical verbal expression, sometimes used to describe a sudden, impulsive action or a brief, brilliant display of virtuosity in other fields like music.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is equally rare and literary in both varieties. There is no significant dialectal difference in meaning.
Connotations
Often connotes European or literary sophistication. It may sound slightly pretentious if used in casual conversation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, found almost exclusively in literary criticism, essays, or refined prose.
Grammar
How to Use “boutade” in a Sentence
a boutade about [topic]a boutade from [person]deliver/utter a boutadeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boutade” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Rarely used, but may appear in literary or cultural studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare; likely to be misunderstood.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boutade”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈbaʊteɪd/.
- Using it to refer to any joke or long story.
- Using it in informal contexts where it sounds unnatural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare and literary word borrowed from French. It is used almost exclusively in formal or sophisticated writing.
Its primary meaning is verbal. However, by metaphorical extension, it can sometimes describe a sudden, brilliant, and whimsical action, especially in artistic performance (e.g., a musical boutade), but this is much less common.
A 'quip' is a more general term for a witty remark. A 'boutade' often implies a greater degree of spontaneity, sharpness, or even a provocative or whimsical edge, and carries a more literary or sophisticated tone.
In British English, it is /buːˈtɑːd/ (boo-TAHD). In American English, it is /buˈtɑd/ (boo-TAHD). The stress is on the second syllable.
A sudden, witty, or unexpected outburst, often in the form of a remark, jest, or witty sally.
Boutade is usually formal, literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOUT (a short contest or fight) and an ADE (like in 'lemonade'—something refreshing). A boutade is a short, verbal contest—a sharp, refreshing remark.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE WEAPONS / VERBAL SPARRING
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'boutade' MOST appropriately used?