enfant terrible

en·fant ter·ri·ble

noun \äⁿ-fäⁿ-te-ˈrēbl^ə\

plural enfants terribles\same\

Definition of ENFANT TERRIBLE

1

a : a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment b : a person known for shocking remarks or outrageous behavior

2

: a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde

Examples of ENFANT TERRIBLE

1. <an author who reveled in his role as the enfant terrible of American letters>

Origin of ENFANT TERRIBLE

French, literally, terrifying child

First Known Use: 1851

Related to ENFANT TERRIBLE

Synonyms: bohemian, boho, counterculturist, deviant, nonconformist, free spirit, heretic, iconoclast, individualist, loner, lone ranger, lone wolf, maverick, nonconformer

Antonyms: conformer, conformist

Related Words: freethinker; character, codger, crackbrain, crackpot, crank, eccentric, freak, kook, nut, oddball, screwball, weirdo; eight ball, misfit, outsider; aberrant, anomaly

Near Antonyms: adherent, follower, supporter; sheep

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