double entendre

noun

dou·​ble en·​ten·​dre ˈdə-bəl-än-ˈtänd(-rə)  ˈdüb-ᵊl-äⁿ-ˈtäⁿd(rᵊ) 

plural double entendres ˈdə-bəl-än-ˈtänd(-rə)  ˈdüb-ᵊl-äⁿ-ˈtäⁿd(rᵊ)(z) 

also ˈdüb-ᵊl-äⁿ-ˈtäⁿz;

ˈdə-bəl-än-ˈtän-drəz

1

linguistics : a word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué

flirty talk full of double entendres

2

literature : ambiguity of meaning arising from language that lends itself to more than one interpretation

Did you know?

What is the Difference Between a double entendre and a pun?

The words double entendre and pun are both about double meanings. Double entendre, in fact, originated in an obsolete expression in French, which means “double meaning.” The origins of pun are less certain, but it likely traces to the Italian word puntiglio meaning “fine point, quibble.” In English, double entendre refers to a double meaning in which one meaning is usually shocking or risqué in its sexual suggestiveness. Pun usually has more to do with silly or humorous double meanings than with anything sexually suggestive or lewd.

Examples of double entendre in a Sentence

The song's title is a double entendre.

Recent Examples on the Web

The go-to resource for mapping out those periods is the app EskomSePush (the name of which is a cheeky double entendre in Afrikkans, betraying the public annoyance). —Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is filled with double entendres, silly puns, and slapstick humor, but underneath it all lies a heartwarming story about the resilience of the human spirit and the power of friendship. —Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Apr. 2026

The coming quarters will determine whether this double entendre resolves in geopolitical success or macroeconomic regret. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026

The saucy track bemoans a 335-day dry spell since her last romantic encounter, with double entendres aplenty. —Travis Pinson, Dallas Morning News, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French, literally, double meaning

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 2