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

Glaser said, in a double entendre about the federal immigration enforcement agency. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026

Many of her jokes relied heavily on wordplay, like one about how the Rock might win a Globe because The Paper wasn’t nominated, but even sweaty double entendres like this landed well because Glaser moved on so quickly that there was no time for groans. —Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026

And that double entendre wasn’t even intentional. —Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

Donut enthusiasts, don't despair—of course, Dunkin' capitalized on the double entendre of Munchkins, giving the donut brand's Old Fashioned Glazed Munchkins a makeover with the addition of pink and green sprinkles. —Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French, literally, double meaning

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 2