bon mot

noun

bōⁿ-ˈmō  ˌbän-ˈmō 

plural bons mots bōⁿ-ˈmō  bōⁿ-ˈmōz 

ˌbän-ˈmōz

or bon mots bōⁿ-ˈmō  bōⁿ-ˈmōz 

ˌbän-ˈmōz

: 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

In a wheelchair since a 2012 stroke, the 79-year-old icon was still sharp as a tack — as numerous bon mots proved — with a vivid memory matched only by his dry humor. — Katherine Turman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

Stanley Tucci is back as Nigel, Miranda’s unfailingly loyal consigliere, who never butchers a bon mot or wears the same pocket square twice. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026

His character, school bus driver Kevin McKay, could probably use some of McConaughey’s helpful bon mots. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025

Perhaps the solution is as simple as Miss Manners issuing a polite, but stern, PSA or a witty bon mot discouraging this practice. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, good word

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above