risqué

adjective

ris·​qué ri-ˈskā How to pronounce risqué (audio)
: verging on impropriety or indecency : off-color
a risqué joke

Examples of risqué in a Sentence

a song with risqué lyrics the bridal shower was filled with risqué banter and laughter
Recent Examples on the Web At the other end are risque performances, professional haunt-industry tutorials and testimonials, and horror film celebrity panels. Scott Feinblatt, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2024 The restaurants quickly drew attention for the then-shocking skimpy outfits and also for risque and misogynistic themes, jokes and signage. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2024 Take a look at some of the risque designs (these might not be suitable for work, so prudes beware) This story was originally published June 3, 2024, 3:59 PM. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 June 2024 And it was tacitly understood that an audience that elected to stay up after the local news, past midnight on weeknights, might be ready for something relatively sophisticated, cosmopolitan and a little risque. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024 In 2016, Lakota's game grabbed headlines for having a risque rule: a student could not be shot if that student was naked. Jennifer Edwards Baker, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Kristen Stewart has defended her risque’ photo shoot for the March Rolling Stone magazine cover that went viral and divided audiences on social media platforms. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2024 Online ads for the business featured women in provocative clothing posing in a risque manner, according to an affidavit. Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 13 Feb. 2024 Taking the trend even further, Blumarine — the brand known for its butterfly tops — showed a pair of equally risque butterfly underwear, while Diesel sent out trompe l’oeil-esque clothing that had undergarments printed on them. Irina Grechko, refinery29.com, 26 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'risqué.' 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, from past participle of risquer to risk, from risque

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of risqué was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near risqué

Cite this Entry

“Risqué.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risqu%C3%A9. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

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