enfant terrible: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Literary; used primarily in journalism and cultural criticism.
Quick answer
What does “enfant terrible” mean?
A person, typically young, whose unorthodox or controversial behavior or ideas shock, embarrass, or upset established figures in their field.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, typically young, whose unorthodox or controversial behavior or ideas shock, embarrass, or upset established figures in their field.
A brilliant, innovative, or disruptive figure who challenges conventions and causes controversy, often within art, fashion, design, or intellectual circles. The term implies both talent and a capacity to unsettle the status quo.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used similarly in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in UK arts and media discourse due to geographical and cultural proximity to France.
Connotations
Connotes a mix of admiration for talent/innovation and disapproval or exasperation at the lack of decorum. The French origin adds a layer of sophistication to the critique.
Frequency
Low frequency in common speech; high recognition among educated readers, especially in arts, academia, and journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “enfant terrible” in a Sentence
[Subject] is/was considered the enfant terrible of [Field/Group][Subject] established [possessive] reputation as an enfant terrible by [Action]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enfant terrible” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The designer's enfant terrible aesthetic dominated London Fashion Week.
American English
- He cultivated an enfant terrible persona to gain media attention.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe a disruptive startup founder or a CEO with shockingly unconventional strategies. "The new tech CEO is seen as the enfant terrible of the industry, dismantling traditional HR policies."
Academic
Used in critiques of philosophy, literary theory, or historiography to describe a scholar who challenges foundational paradigms. "The philosopher was the enfant terrible of post-structuralism, rejecting its core tenets."
Everyday
Very rare. If used, it would be knowingly applied to a friend or family member who constantly causes mild scandal. "My cousin, the family enfant terrible, announced he's moving to a commune."
Technical
Not applicable in STEM. Used in arts/humanities as a descriptive term in criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enfant terrible”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enfant terrible”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enfant terrible”
- Misspelling: 'enfant terrible' (correct), NOT 'enfant terrible', 'enfant terrible', or 'enfant terrible'.
- Misusing it to mean simply a 'bad person' or a 'failure'.
- Using it without the necessary context of a specific field or established group being shocked.
- Incorrect pronunciation, especially neglecting the nasal vowels in 'enfant'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the term is applicable to any gender. The French word 'enfant' is grammatically masculine but is of common gender, meaning it does not specify male or female. In English usage, it is applied to men and women equally (e.g., 'She was the enfant terrible of the movement').
Not literally. While the term originally implies youth ('enfant' = child), its core meaning is about being a shocking *newcomer* or innovator within a field. A person can be dubbed an enfant terrible later in life if they enter a field and immediately disrupt it with controversial ideas.
It is ambivalent. It acknowledges talent, brilliance, and innovation (positive) but also highlights behavior that is embarrassing, disrespectful, or deliberately provocative to an establishment (negative). The connotation depends heavily on context and the speaker's perspective.
The standard plural is 'enfants terribles'. Both the noun and the adjective are pluralised in the French manner when used in English.
A person, typically young, whose unorthodox or controversial behavior or ideas shock, embarrass, or upset established figures in their field.
Enfant terrible is usually formal/literary; used primarily in journalism and cultural criticism. in register.
Enfant terrible: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɒ̃.fɒ̃ teˈriː.blə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑ̃n.fɑ̃n təˈri.blə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no direct English idioms; term itself is idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **terrible** (shocking) **infant** (young/new) in a room of dignified adults. The French words 'enfant' (child) and 'terrible' combine to mean a shocking new figure.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ESTABLISHMENT IS A POLITE SOCIETY / THE INNOVATOR IS A MISBEHAVING CHILD.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'enfant terrible' LEAST likely to be appropriately used?