tout le monde: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “tout le monde” mean?
A French phrase used in English meaning 'everybody' or 'everyone', often to evoke a sense of universal opinion, fashionable society, or worldly people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A French phrase used in English meaning 'everybody' or 'everyone', often to evoke a sense of universal opinion, fashionable society, or worldly people.
Can refer specifically to high society, the fashionable world, or a general collective. Used to suggest something is known or approved by all relevant or sophisticated people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more prevalent in British English, particularly in literary, fashion, and arts journalism. In American English, it is rarer and may be perceived as more pretentious or niche.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes sophistication, worldliness, or irony. The ironic/satirical usage is more common.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher in UK publications like The Guardian, The Economist, or Tatler.
Grammar
How to Use “tout le monde” in a Sentence
[Subject] is the talk of tout le monde.As tout le monde knows, [statement].It was approved by tout le monde.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tout le monde” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were touted by tout le monde.
- The play was touted to tout le monde.
American English
- The product was touted to tout le monde in the ad campaign.
adverb
British English
- It was done quite tout le monde.
- They lived rather tout le monde.
American English
- She dressed very tout le monde for the event.
adjective
British English
- The tout le monde opinion was clear.
- She had a certain tout le monde elegance.
American English
- It was the tout le monde thing to do that season.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except perhaps in marketing to an elite audience ('The model favoured by tout le monde').
Academic
Rare in formal papers, but may appear in cultural studies or fashion theory texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation; would sound affected.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tout le monde”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tout le monde”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tout le monde”
- Writing it without italics: 'tout le monde'.
- Pronouncing 'monde' as /məʊnd/ (like 'mound') instead of /mɒnd/ or /mɑnd/.
- Using it in everyday contexts where 'everyone' is meant, resulting in a pretentious tone.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loan phrase from French, not a fully assimilated English word. It is used in specific, often stylised contexts.
Yes, in formal and careful writing, it should be italicised as a foreign phrase. In very casual or journalistic use, the italics are sometimes dropped.
You can, but it will sound very affected, literary, or intentionally humorous/ironic. It is not for everyday speech.
They are closely related. 'Tout le monde' means 'everyone', often implying the fashionable everyone. 'Beau monde' literally means 'beautiful world' and refers explicitly to high society or the fashionable elite.
A French phrase used in English meaning 'everybody' or 'everyone', often to evoke a sense of universal opinion, fashionable society, or worldly people.
Tout le monde is usually formal, literary, journalistic in register.
Tout le monde: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtuː lə ˈmɒnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtu lə ˈmɑnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the talk of tout le monde”
- “tout le monde and his brother (humorous/extended)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TOUT' sounds like 'TOOT' a horn to get attention. 'LE MONDE' sounds like 'the world'. You're tooting a horn to tell the whole (fashionable) world something.
Conceptual Metaphor
FASHIONABLE SOCIETY IS A (FRENCH-SPEAKING) WORLD.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'tout le monde' MOST appropriately used?