marivaux: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (mainly in literary, theatrical, or academic contexts)Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “marivaux” mean?
Referring to Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, an 18th-century French playwright and novelist.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Referring to Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, an 18th-century French playwright and novelist.
Pertaining to his work or the specific style of comedies he wrote, characterized by psychological subtlety, intricate romantic plots, and refined, elegant dialogue known as 'marivaudage'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. More likely to be encountered in UK academic/theatrical contexts due to historical francophilia, but the word is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Sophistication, French Enlightenment theatre, intricate romantic comedy.
Frequency
Extremely low in general usage; slightly higher in university literature/drama departments.
Grammar
How to Use “marivaux” in a Sentence
[Proper noun] + 's' + noun (e.g., Marivaux's plays)Adjective + [Proper noun] (e.g., typical Marivaux)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marivaux” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The production had a distinctly Marivaux feel, with its witty verbal fencing.
American English
- Her dialogue was almost Marivaux-esque in its refined subtlety.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in studies of French literature, theatre history, and the Enlightenment.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be mentioned in a review of a classical theatre production.
Technical
Used as a stylistic descriptor in literary criticism and dramaturgy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marivaux”
- Mispronouncing it as /mɑːrɪˈvɔːks/.
- Using it as a common adjective without capitalisation (incorrect: 'a marivaux scene').
- Confusing him with Molière.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is almost exclusively a proper noun referring to the French playwright Pierre de Marivaux (1688-1763) or the style of his comedies.
It is the noun derived from his name, referring specifically to the style of sophisticated, subtle, and often flirtatious dialogue characteristic of his plays.
In British English, approximately /ˌmærɪˈvəʊ/ (ma-ri-VOH). In American English, approximately /ˌmɛrəˈvoʊ/ (meh-ruh-VOH). The final 'x' is silent.
Only in a metaphorical or comparative literary sense. You might say a film has 'elements of Marivaux' if it features similarly intricate verbal courtship, but it remains a specialised reference.
Referring to Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, an 18th-century French playwright and novelist.
Marivaux is usually formal/literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for a proper noun of this type]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Marie' + 'vault' – Marie storing the complex, vaulted (intricate) plots of romantic comedies in 18th-century France.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORS ARE STYLES (He is his style: 'That play is pure Marivaux').
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you MOST likely to encounter the word 'Marivaux'?