piece de resistance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, literary
Quick answer
What does “piece de resistance” mean?
The most outstanding item, feature, or achievement in a series or collection.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The most outstanding item, feature, or achievement in a series or collection; the main or most impressive part of something.
Can refer to the most important or excellent part of a meal (the main course or a special dish), a work of art, a performance, a project, or any collection of items.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling often anglicised to 'piece de resistance' without the accent in informal British use; the French spelling with accents is more preserved in American formal writing. Usage is more common in British culinary and arts writing.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of elegance and being the highlight. In the US, may sound slightly pretentious or knowingly borrowed. In the UK, it is a well-established culinary and descriptive term.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English, particularly in contexts of food, theatre, and antiques. In US English, it is less common and often found in more highbrow publications.
Grammar
How to Use “piece de resistance” in a Sentence
the [noun]'s piece de résistanceher piece de résistance was...serve as the piece de résistanceVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in marketing: 'The new flagship model is the pièce de résistance of our product line.'
Academic
Used in art history, literature, and cultural studies to denote a key work or element within an oeuvre or movement.
Everyday
Uncommon. Mostly used humorously or self-consciously to describe the best part of a meal or a personal project.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “piece de resistance”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “piece de resistance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “piece de resistance”
- Misspelling: 'peace de resistance', 'piece de resistance' (missing accent).
- Mispronouncing 'résistance' with a hard English /z/ instead of a French /z/.
- Using it to mean simply 'a difficult task' (confusion with 'resistance').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In formal writing, yes, especially the accent on 'résistance'. In informal contexts, it is often omitted, but purists and style guides recommend retaining them.
It is typically used for things, creations, or events, not for people directly. You would say 'the performer was the star attraction,' not 'the performer was the pièce de résistance.'
Yes, it inherently describes the best or most important part of something. Using it ironically is possible but requires clear context.
Do not pronounce the final 'e'. The 'ance' is a nasal vowel /ɒ̃s/ (UK) or /ɑns/ (US). In the US, it is often anglicised to sound like 'ahns'.
The most outstanding item, feature, or achievement in a series or collection.
Piece de resistance is usually formal, literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The pièce de résistance of the evening was...”
- “Saving the pièce de résistance for last.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RESTAURANT's main dish that you RESIST eating first because it's so special – it's the 'piece' you save as the main event.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COLLECTION IS A MEAL (with a main course). / ACHIEVEMENT IS A CONSTRUCTION (with a keystone piece).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'pièce de résistance' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?