mata hari: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2literary, historical, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “mata hari” mean?
A female spy who uses seduction to obtain secrets.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female spy who uses seduction to obtain secrets.
A person, especially a woman, who uses charm and allure to manipulate others and extract information for espionage or personal gain. More broadly, a dangerously alluring seductress.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences; both varieties use it as a historical/cultural reference.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong connotations of historical espionage, exoticism, danger, and femme fatale archetypes.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, slightly more common in historical/political discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mata hari” in a Sentence
[determiner] + mata hari[adjective] + mata hariverb (be/act as/play) + mata hariVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mata hari” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She employed a series of mata-hari tactics to befriend the officials.
- The film had a classic mata-hari plotline.
American English
- He warned his team about a potential mata-hari operation from a rival firm.
- The novel's protagonist falls for a mata-hari scheme.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could metaphorically describe a corporate spy using personal relationships.
Academic
Used in historical, gender studies, or espionage literature.
Everyday
Very rare. Used for dramatic effect to describe a dangerously charming, manipulative person.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mata hari”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mata hari”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mata hari”
- Incorrect capitalization when used as a common noun (e.g., 'a mata Hari').
- Using for any female spy without the seduction element.
- Misspelling as 'Mata-hari' or 'Mat Hari'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring specifically to the historical person, Margaretha Zelle, it is capitalized. When used as a common noun for a type of spy, it is often lowercased (e.g., 'a mata hari'), though some style guides retain the capitals.
It is highly atypical. The term is intrinsically gendered due to its origin and the 'femme fatale' archetype. A male spy using similar tactics would more likely be called a 'honeytrap' or simply a 'seductive agent'.
It can be pejorative and reductive, reducing a complex historical figure to a stereotype and potentially being sexist when applied generally. It should be used with awareness of its charged connotations.
In both British and American English, it is pronounced /ˌmɑːtə ˈhɑːri/ (MAH-tuh HAR-ee), with stress on the second word.
A female spy who uses seduction to obtain secrets.
Mata hari is usually literary, historical, journalistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To play the Mata Hari”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MA-nipulative TA-ctic of HAR-mful In-trigue.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEXUAL ATTRACTION IS A WEAPON FOR ESPIONAGE; A SEDUCTRESS IS A SPY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a 'mata hari'?