double entendre

play

noun dou·ble en·ten·dre \ˈdüb-^əl-äⁿ-ˈtäⁿd(-r^ə); ˈdə-bəl-än-ˈtänd(-rə)\

Definition of double entendre

plural

double entendres

play \same also -ˈtäⁿz; -ˈtän-drəz\

1 literature : ambiguity of meaning arising from language that lends itself to more than one interpretation
2 linguistics : a word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué flirty talk full of double entendres

See double entendre defined for English-language learners

Examples of double entendre in a Sentence

The song's title is a double entendre.

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.