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Synonyms

bon mot

American  
[bon moh, bawn moh] / ˈbɒn ˈmoʊ, bɔ̃ ˈmoʊ /

noun

plural

bons mots
  1. a witty remark or comment; clever saying; witticism.


bon mot British  
/ bɔ̃ mo /

noun

  1. a clever and fitting remark

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bon mot

1725–35; < French: literally, good word; see boon 2, motto

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nericcio is usually quick to a bon mot, but his worrisome tone when we talked was something I had never heard in the 15 years we’ve known each other.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

Then, of course, there’s the song’s instantly memed, irresistibly quotable bon mot, “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby, and I’m a monster on the hill.”

From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2022

Economists would point to the folly of a course of action, and he would pull out a bon mot or caricature them as “the doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters.”

From Washington Post • Jul. 8, 2022

The bizarre situation elicits Patroclus' zesty bon mot: "What a spring the man has! Nice dive! Think of the oysters he could come up with if he were out at sea …"

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2021

He jotted down this bon mot with his pencil nub.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood