enfant terrible

[ ahn-fahn te-ree-bluh ]

noun

, French.

, plural en·fants ter·ri·bles [ah, n, -fah, n, te-, ree, -bl, uh].

1. an incorrigible child, as one whose behavior is embarrassing.
2. an outrageously outspoken or bold person who says and does indiscreet or irresponsible things.
3. a person whose work, thought, or lifestyle is so unconventional or avant-garde as to appear revolutionary or shocking.

enfant terrible

/ ɑ̃fɑ̃ tɛriblə /

noun

1. a person given to unconventional conduct or indiscreet remarks

enfant terrible

1. A person who stirs things up in an irresponsible or indiscreet way or has unconventional ideas: “Doctor Hill keeps writing articles that criticize his fellow physicians; he is becoming known as the enfant terrible of his profession.” From French, meaning “terrible child.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of enfant terrible¹

First recorded in 1850–55; literally, “terrible child”

Word History and Origins

Origin of enfant terrible¹

C19: literally: terrible child