les miserables: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Cultural
Quick answer
What does “les miserables” mean?
The proper title of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel about social injustice in post-Napoleonic France and its various adaptations (musical, film).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The proper title of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel about social injustice in post-Napoleonic France and its various adaptations (musical, film).
A cultural shorthand for a sprawling, tragic story of poverty, redemption, and revolution; often used to describe something excessively long, tragic, or melodramatic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Pronunciation of the French loan differs slightly (see IPA). The abbreviated form 'Les Mis' is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes high culture, emotional depth, and length. May carry a slight humorous connotation when used to describe an overly long or complicated situation.
Frequency
Frequency is similar, spiking around productions of the musical or film adaptations.
Grammar
How to Use “les miserables” in a Sentence
[read/see/watch] Les MisérablesLes Misérables [is/was] [adapted/staged]a [performance/production] of Les MisérablesVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in entertainment/tourism: 'The Les Misérables tour generated significant revenue.'
Academic
Used in literary, historical, or cultural studies contexts.
Everyday
Referencing the musical/film or used humorously: 'My meeting was an absolute Les Misérables – it went on for three hours!'
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “les miserables”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “les miserables”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “les miserables”
- Misspelling: 'Les Miserables' (without accent), 'Les Miserable'. Incorrect pronunciation with /ʒ/ for the 's'. Using as a common noun: 'He was a les misérable'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It translates literally to 'The Miserable Ones', 'The Wretched', or 'The Poor Ones'.
In formal and publishing contexts, the acute accent on the 'e' (Misérables) is standard. In informal writing (e.g., texts), it is often omitted.
It is common to anglicise the pronunciation. Say 'LAY MIZ-uh-RAH-buhl' (UK) or 'LAY MIZ-uh-RAH-bul' (US). Attempting a full French pronunciation in an English conversation can sound affected.
Not directly. You cannot say 'He is a Les Misérables'. You could say metaphorically 'He has a Les Misérables-like backstory' or use the idiom: 'He was a bit of a miserable' (slang, unrelated).
The proper title of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel about social injustice in post-Napoleonic France and its various adaptations (musical, film).
Les miserables is usually formal, literary, cultural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a bit of a Les Misérables' – used informally to describe a long, drawn-out, or miserable situation.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Lay miserable' – the story lays out miserable lives in great detail.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LONG STORY IS LES MISÉRABLES (e.g., 'His explanation was a real Les Misérables').
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Les Misérables' primarily classified as?