cri de coeur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “cri de coeur” mean?
A passionate outcry, complaint, or protest expressing genuine and intense personal distress or anguish.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A passionate outcry, complaint, or protest expressing genuine and intense personal distress or anguish.
Any fervent or heartfelt appeal, declaration, or artistic work that communicates a profound personal, emotional, or moral plea, often for understanding or against injustice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English due to stronger French language influence, but the phrase is recognized and used similarly in both varieties. Often italicised in writing.
Connotations
Both varieties perceive it as sophisticated, literary, and emotionally weighty.
Frequency
Uncommon in casual speech in both regions; primarily found in journalism, literary criticism, political commentary, and academic writing.
Grammar
How to Use “cri de coeur” in a Sentence
[Subject] issued a passionate cri de coeur against [injustice].The novel stands as a cri de coeur for [a cause].Her speech was more than a complaint; it was a genuine cri de coeur.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cri de coeur” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The article effectively cri-de-coeurs against societal neglect. (rare, non-standard)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in leadership communications or CSR reports to describe a stakeholder's emotional appeal.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, political theory, sociology, and history to describe passionate texts, speeches, or manifestos.
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical fields like STEM.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cri de coeur”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cri de coeur”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cri de coeur”
- Misspelling: 'cri de cour', 'crie de coeur'.
- Mispronouncing 'coeur' like English 'core' /kɔːr/ instead of /kɜːr/ or /kɜr/.
- Using it for a trivial complaint, which undermines its weight.
- Incorrect plural: 'cris de coeurs' (correct: 'cris de coeur').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It expresses distress, protest, or anguish. However, it can be framed positively as a heartfelt appeal *for* a better future or justice.
The correct plural is 'cris de coeur' (pronounced /ˌkriː də ˈkɜː/). The nouns 'cri' (cry) is pluralised to 'cris', but 'coeur' (heart) remains singular.
Yes, it is standard practice to italicise foreign words and phrases that are not fully naturalised in English. 'Cri de coeur' is often, but not always, italicised.
A 'complaint' focuses on a specific grievance and can be minor or major. A 'cri de coeur' implies a profound, emotional, and often principled outcry that comes from deep personal conviction or suffering.
Cri de coeur is usually formal/literary in register.
Cri de coeur: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkriː də ˈkɜː(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkri də ˈkɜr/ or /ˌkri də ˈkoʊr/ (less common). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cry from the heart (near equivalent).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a heart (COEUR) with a tiny mouth, crying out (CRI) in desperate emotion. 'CRI de COEUR' = a CRY from the HEART.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IS A PHYSICAL CRY/VOICE PROJECTED FROM THE CORE (HEART).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'cri de coeur' be MOST appropriate?