bon mot

noun

\ bōⁿ-ˈmō

How to pronounce bon mot (audio)

\

plural bons mots\ bōⁿ-ˈmō(z)

How to pronounce bon mot (audio)

\ or bon mots\ bōⁿ-ˈmō(z)

How to pronounce bon mot (audio)

\

Definition of bon mot

: a clever remark : witticism his bons mots were being repeated … from coast to coast— W. J. Fisher

Examples of bon mot in a Sentence

She had a sparkling bon mot for every occasion.

Recent Examples on the Web Depending on his place in the hierarchy, any one of the guests would be expected to rise and disgorge a brief, bon mot–studded toast. — TheWeek, "Secret life of an anonymous speechwriter to the stars," 17 May 2020 But during the creation process, some bon mots were just too good for this world, and died nobly on the cutting room floor. — Dan Snierson, EW.com, "The Good Bye: The Good Place creator Mike Schur looks back on four seasons of magic and morality," 30 Jan. 2020 Deep thoughts, cheap shots & bon mots ... • Aldon Smith’s comeback attempt with the Dallas Cowboys will be one of the compelling stories of the season, if there is a season. — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "Pondering Aldon Smith’s comeback, a varsity vacuuming squad and other sports musings," 4 Apr. 2020 Deep thoughts, cheap shots & bon mots from the bunker. . — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "Alex Rodriguez batting cleanup in Trump’s ‘Dugout Cabinet’," 28 Mar. 2020 Hanks played the late kids’ TV icon as a guru of empathy, doling out heartwarming bon mots to a troubled journalist (Matthew Rhys) who's tasked to profile Rogers but is skeptical of the man’s absolute goodness. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "Let's give thanks to Tom Hanks: Watch his 10 essential feel-good roles," 18 Mar. 2020 Also present is the Earl’s redoubtable mother (Maggie Smith), who dispenses bons mots like sour lemon drops. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "Villains Hog the Spotlight in “The Laundromat”," 20 Sep. 2019 There’s no better way to say goodbyeto fashion week with a bon mot than with Marc’s whimsical and witty looks. — Cady Lang, Time, "10 Designers You Should Watch at New York Fashion Week," 4 Feb. 2020 Johnson has achieved a momentous political triumph through discord, populism, and a few bon mots. — By Sam Knight, The New Yorker, "Boris Johnson Wins, and Britain Chooses the Devil It Knows," 13 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bon mot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Bon mot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bon%20mot. Accessed 3 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for bon mot

bon mot

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bon mot

formal : a clever remark

See the full definition for bon mot in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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