bon vivant

noun

bon vi·​vant ˌbän-vē-ˈvänt  ˌbōⁿ-vē-ˈväⁿ 

plural bons vivants ˌbän-vē-ˈvänt  ˌbän-vē-ˈvän(t)s  ˌbōⁿ-vē-ˈväⁿ(z)  or bon vivants ˌbän-vē-ˈvänt  ˌbän-vē-ˈvän(t)s  ˌbōⁿ-vē-ˈväⁿ(z) 

: a sociable person who has cultivated and refined tastes especially with respect to food and drink

She has become a bon vivant since moving to the city.

Did you know?

Do you consider yourself a bon vivant? If you’re not sure, perhaps a peek into the word’s origin will help. In French, the phrase literally means “good liver.” Fear not if you are among those who are underinformed about the state of their liver. The “liver” here is not the bodily organ, but one who lives; a bon vivant is one who lives well. English speakers have used bon vivant since the late 17th century to refer specifically to those who subscribe to a particular kind of good living—one that involves lots of social engagements and the enjoyment of fancy food and drink. This puts the term very much in the company of some other French words. Gourmet, gourmand, and gastronome all refer to those who love a fancy meal (though gourmand often carries the connotation of a tendency to overindulge). Bon appétit!

Synonyms

• epicure
• epicurean
• gastronome
• gastronomist
• gourmand
• gourmet

Examples of bon vivant in a Sentence

In addition to being a renowned travel writer, he was a bon vivant who loves to hold dinner parties and serve exquisite, elaborate meals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bygone bon vivants like writers James Joyce and Gertrude Stein and art collectors like Peggy Guggenheim are a few culture-shaping figures that come to mind. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

Unlike the always retiring Edward, however, Oswald is a bon vivant comfortable in his own skin — a great dancer, a karaoke master, and a ladies’ man. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025

Recently, Kim Hastreiter—artist, curator, co-founder of Paper magazine, and legendary downtown bon vivant—was having one of her parties. —Ariel Levy, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

Specifically, given my interest in the microbiome, what are the ramifications for this bon vivant’s gut? —Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, good liver

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bon vivant

• grievant

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