double entendre

noun

plural double entendres ˈdə-bəl-än-ˈtänd(-rə) How to pronounce double entendre (audio) ˈdüb-ᵊl-äⁿ-ˈtäⁿd(rᵊ)(z) How to pronounce double entendre (audio)
 also  ˈdüb-ᵊl-äⁿ-ˈtäⁿz;
ˈdə-bəl-än-ˈtän-drəz
1
linguistics : a word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué
flirty talk full of double entendres
2
literature : ambiguity of meaning arising from language that lends itself to more than one interpretation

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What is the Difference Between a double entendre and a pun?

The words double entendre and pun are both about double meanings. Double entendre, in fact, originated in an obsolete expression in French, which means “double meaning.” The origins of pun are less certain, but it likely traces to the Italian word puntiglio meaning “fine point, quibble.” In English, double entendre refers to a double meaning in which one meaning is usually shocking or risqué in its sexual suggestiveness. Pun usually has more to do with silly or humorous double meanings than with anything sexually suggestive or lewd.

Examples of double entendre in a Sentence

The song's title is a double entendre.
Recent Examples on the Web Yet Lee, one of the Unicode arbiters, doesn’t envision a likely future for these suggestions, which lack the often-necessary elements of cultural relevance and popular double entendre. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 2 Jan. 2024 To confuse the authorities, who were always trying to find new music to censure and people to arrest, musicians used metaphors, double entendres, and allegories in their lyrics. Matthew Dursum, SPIN, 20 Nov. 2023 There will be a broken dam’s worth of literary and pop-cultural references along with a steady flow of double entendres. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2023 The song is a double entendre and testament to Noname’s creativity. Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, Pitchfork, 18 Sep. 2023 The song’s lyrics — a double entendre about wanting to both rekindle and seek revenge on a former lover — allude to the general lightheartedness prevalent throughout Guts. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2023 Your biggest weapon as a battle rapper is a double entendre, word scheme, metaphors. Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Aug. 2023 Quickly gaining popularity with hop-hop group The Click and not long after, enjoying solo success in the early 1990s, E-40's heavy use of regional slang and double entendres separated him from the rest. Cecily Cruz, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2023 Racy double entendres abound, with groaning results. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 21 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double entendre.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French, literally, double meaning

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of double entendre was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near double entendre

Cite this Entry

“Double entendre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20entendre. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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