maupassant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C1+)Formal/Literary/Academic
Quick answer
What does “maupassant” mean?
A proper noun referring to Guy de Maupassant, a renowned 19th-century French author known for his short stories and novels.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to Guy de Maupassant, a renowned 19th-century French author known for his short stories and novels.
Often used metonymically to refer to his distinctive literary style (realism, naturalism, irony) or to a specific work attributed to him.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Pronunciation may show slight variation (see IPA).
Connotations
Connotes classic literature, sophistication, and the study of French realism in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily appearing in literary, academic, or educated discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “maupassant” in a Sentence
[Author] Maupassant + verb (wrote, described)Maupassant's + Noun (work, style, irony)by MaupassantVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “maupassant” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The story had a distinctly Maupassant-esque irony about it.
American English
- Her writing shows a Maupassant-like economy of detail.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literature, history, and French studies courses to discuss 19th-century realism and narrative technique.
Everyday
Rare. Might occur in discussions about books, classic literature, or education.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “maupassant”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “maupassant”
- Misspelling: 'Mauppasant', 'Mopassant'.
- Incorrect capitalization: 'maupassant'.
- Using as a common noun (e.g., 'a maupassant' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively a proper noun referring to the person or, by extension, his style or work. Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a maupassant') is incorrect.
In British English, it's roughly /ˌməʊpæˈsɒ̃/. In American English, it's /ˌmoʊpəˈsɑːnt/ or /ˌmoʊpəˈsɑːn/. The final 't' is often silent or lightly pronounced.
Guy de Maupassant is most famous for his large output of tightly crafted, often ironic or pessimistic short stories, such as 'The Necklace' ('La Parure') and 'Boule de Suif'.
Yes, though rare. 'Maupassantian' or more commonly 'Maupassant-esque' are acceptable adjectives in literary analysis to describe a style reminiscent of his work (e.g., 'a Maupassantian twist').
A proper noun referring to Guy de Maupassant, a renowned 19th-century French author known for his short stories and novels.
Maupassant is usually formal/literary/academic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a **MOP** (sounds like 'Mau') being **passed** (sounds like 'passant') by a sophisticated French gentleman writing a story. Mop + Pass + Ant = Maupassant, the French writer.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHOR IS A STYLISTIC MARKER (e.g., 'That twist ending is very Maupassant').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the name 'Maupassant' most commonly used?