entente: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, diplomatic, political
Quick answer
What does “entente” mean?
A friendly understanding or informal agreement between countries or groups, often used in diplomatic contexts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A friendly understanding or informal agreement between countries or groups, often used in diplomatic contexts.
A state of cooperation and mutual understanding between parties, typically without a formal treaty; can refer to harmonious relations in business, politics, or other organizations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term similarly, but British English may use it more frequently in historical or diplomatic contexts due to European diplomatic history (e.g., Entente Cordiale).
Connotations
Carries historical weight (e.g., Triple Entente before WWI); suggests sophistication and diplomatic nuance.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech; appears in academic, historical, and political discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “entente” in a Sentence
entente between X and Yentente with Xentente on ZVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in high-level corporate negotiations describing a strategic understanding between companies.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and international relations texts.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly used by educated speakers discussing politics or history.
Technical
Used in diplomatic and political discourse to denote specific types of international agreements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “entente”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “entente”
- Using 'entente' to mean a formal treaty (it's less formal).
- Misspelling as 'ententé' or 'entantee'.
- Using it in casual contexts where 'agreement' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, an entente is typically an informal understanding or friendly agreement, less formal and binding than a treaty.
The Entente Cordiale (1904) between the United Kingdom and France, and the later Triple Entente between Britain, France, and Russia before World War I.
It can be, but it's rare and would be considered a sophisticated or deliberate diplomatic metaphor for a corporate understanding.
In British English, it is pronounced /ɒnˈtɒnt/, with the stress on the second syllable.
A friendly understanding or informal agreement between countries or groups, often used in diplomatic contexts.
Entente is usually formal, diplomatic, political in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “entente cordiale (specifically referring to Anglo-Friendly relations)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ENTEr a friendly agreemenT' – entente.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIPLOMACY IS A DANCE (careful, coordinated steps without formal binding).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the word 'entente'?