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

The bon mot was spoken by Jack Nicholson, of course, in the loyal Rob Reiner film of Sorkin’s 1989 Broadway drama. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

The bon mot was, of course, spoken by Jack Nicholson in the loyal Rob Reiner film of Sorkin’s 1989 Broadway drama, wherein actor Stephen Lang memorably originated the role. — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026

Undoubtedly, Sheindlin’s many bon mots and harsh-but-true zingers delivered from the bench have landed in a similar way for viewers. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

When bouncing off each other, the two are like a nuclear-power plant of millennial bon mots and catchphrases. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, good word

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above