rencontre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency / Archaic/Literary)Literary, archaic, historical, or technical. Not used in modern everyday speech.
Quick answer
What does “rencontre” mean?
A meeting, especially an unexpected or hostile encounter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A meeting, especially an unexpected or hostile encounter.
A contest or duel; a confrontation of opposing views; an instance of two things coming together (e.g., in astronomy).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning, but both varieties treat it as highly literary/archaic. Slightly more likely to be recognized in UK English due to French influence and historical texts.
Connotations
Evokes 17th-19th century literature, duelling, military history, or philosophical discourse.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both, with near-zero frequency in modern corpora. Found almost exclusively in historical novels, poetry, or academic writing.
Grammar
How to Use “rencontre” in a Sentence
have a rencontre with [person/entity]lead to a rencontreresult in a rencontrea rencontre between X and YVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rencontre” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two patrols rencountered in the fog.
- He feared to rencontrer his rival on the field.
American English
- The armies were destined to rencounter at the river's bend.
- They did not wish to rencontrer the enemy's main force.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical or literary studies to describe meetings/conflicts in period texts.
Everyday
Not used. Would sound affected or confusing.
Technical
In astronomy (rare), a close approach of celestial bodies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rencontre”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rencontre”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rencontre”
- Using it in modern conversation.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈrɛnkɒntə/ (anglicised first syllable).
- Spelling as 'rencounter' (an accepted archaic variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it can mean meeting, it specifically implies an unexpected, often confrontational or fateful encounter. It is archaic and not a substitute for everyday 'meeting'.
Absolutely not. It would be considered highly unusual, pretentious, and likely misunderstood.
'Rencontre' is an archaic, literary synonym for 'encounter'. 'Encounter' is the standard modern word and covers a broader range of meetings (neutral, friendly, hostile). 'Rencontre' leans heavily toward the hostile or chance-based.
In British English, it's approximately 'ron-KON-truh' (/rɒnˈkɒntrə/). In American English, it can be 'rahn-kahn-TRAY' or 'ren-KAHN-ter'. The French origin is evident in the pronunciation.
A meeting, especially an unexpected or hostile encounter.
Rencontre is usually literary, archaic, historical, or technical. not used in modern everyday speech. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A rencontre of wits”
- “A chance rencontre of minds”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a French knight saying 'RENdez-vous' for a meeting, but it turns into a CONflict or CONtest – a RENCONtre.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEETING IS A CONFLICT / LIFE IS A SERIES OF (HOSTILE) ENCOUNTERS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'rencontre' be LEAST appropriate?