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View synonyms for malapropism
malapropism
[ mal-uh-prop-iz-uhm ]
noun
- an act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion of words that are similar in sound.
- an instance of this, as in “Lead the way and we'll precede.”
malapropism
/ ˈmæləprɒpˌɪzəm /
noun
- the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one of similar sound, esp when creating a ridiculous effect, as in I am not under the affluence of alcohol
- the habit of misusing words in this manner
malapropism
- A humorous confusion of words that sound vaguely similar, as in “We have just ended our physical year” instead of “We have just ended our fiscal year.”
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Notes
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Derived Forms
- ˈmalaprop, adjective
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Other Words From
- mala·prop·istic adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of malapropism1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of malapropism1
C18: after Mrs Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals (1775), a character who misused words, from malapropos
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