entente cordiale

noun

en·​tente cor·​diale (ˈ)äⁿ-ˈtäⁿt-ˌkȯr-ˈdyäl How to pronounce entente cordiale (audio)
1
2
: a friendly agreement or working relationship

Examples of entente cordiale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The United States Tennis Association, under its former executive director, Gordon Smith, showed no interest in an entente cordiale. Christopher Clarey, New York Times, 11 May 2023 China on its periphery’s long arc from Japan across Southeast Asia out to India and Pakistan; Russia in Eastern and Central Europe; and the Russian-Iranian-Chinese entente cordiale in the Middle East. John Bolton, WSJ, 30 Aug. 2021 Pernod looks like an entente cordiale by comparison. Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2019 Plane spotters attending the show, which by entente cordiale alternates annually with that in Paris, will be hoping for an appearance by one of the F-35 Lightning fighters delivered recently to Britain’s air force and navy. The Economist, 5 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'entente cordiale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, cordial understanding

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of entente cordiale was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near entente cordiale

Cite this Entry

“Entente cordiale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entente%20cordiale. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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