coup d'oeil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary, military
Quick answer
What does “coup d'oeil” mean?
A swift, comprehensive glance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A swift, comprehensive glance; a quick look that allows one to grasp a situation immediately.
The ability to quickly assess and understand a complex situation at a glance, often implying strategic perception or military acumen. Also used for a brief but appreciative look at something aesthetically pleasing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English due to historical French influence, but still rare in both varieties. American usage may be more confined to literary or historical military contexts.
Connotations
In both, it conveys sophistication and a specialised vocabulary. It may sound pretentious if used in casual conversation.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. Mostly found in historical texts, military theory, or highbrow literature.
Grammar
How to Use “coup d'oeil” in a Sentence
[subject] + have/possess + a coup d'oeil[subject] + cast/take/give + a coup d'oeil + at/over [object][subject] + summed up/assessed + with a coup d'oeilVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coup d'oeil” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The seasoned inspector could coup d'oeil a crime scene and spot the crucial anomaly.
- (Note: used as a noun in English; verb form is non-standard)
American English
- (Not used as a verb in standard English)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form in English)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form in English)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival form in English)
American English
- (No standard adjectival form in English)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in high-level strategy: 'The CEO's coup d'oeil identified the market gap instantly.'
Academic
Found in history, military studies, or art criticism discussing perception.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be marked as highly formal or affected.
Technical
Used in classic military theory (e.g., Clausewitz) to describe a commander's rapid grasp of a battlefield.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coup d'oeil”
- Pronouncing 'oeil' as 'oil' or 'oh-eel'.
- Misspelling as 'coup d'oil' or 'coup de oeil'.
- Using it to mean any quick look without the implied comprehensive understanding.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a French phrase borrowed into English. It is not assimilated and is always italicised or treated as foreign in careful writing.
In the British approximation, it's like 'der' with a very short 'e' sound, or 'duh-ee'. In American, it's often 'doy' (rhyming with 'boy') or 'doh-EL'.
It is not recommended for everyday speech as it will sound very formal, pretentious, or obscure. Use 'quick glance' or 'once-over' instead.
The plural is 'coups d'oeil' (pronounced similarly). The spelling remains French.
A swift, comprehensive glance.
Coup d'oeil is usually formal, literary, military in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no common English idioms use this phrase directly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a French general (COUP) using his EYE (OEIL) to quickly survey the battlefield and win the battle.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEEING IS UNDERSTANDING (The act of looking metaphorically embodies the act of comprehending).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'coup d'oeil' MOST appropriately used?