malaprop

¹

[ mal-uh-prop ]

noun

1. malapropism ( def 2 ).

Malaprop

²

[ mal-uh-prop ]

noun

1. Mrs., a character in Sheridan's The Rivals (1775), noted for her misapplication of words.

Other Words From

• outmala·prop verb (used with object) outmalapropped outmalapropping

Word History and Origins

Origin of malaprop¹

First recorded in 1815–25; Malaprop

Example Sentences

Hartman’s distinctive gruff, slurred speech and malaprops made him a favorite of listeners, media colleagues and the players and coaches he covered to imitate.

From Seattle Times

Cuban acknowledged that Biden is "the king of malaprops," but stopped short of questioning his competence to be president.

From Fox News

President Donald Trump, whose Twitter malaprops often set off a deluge of social media criticism, was targeted on Friday for a linguistic misfire involving the phrase “locked and loaded.”

From Reuters

Baffert asked back, making an intentional malaprop of the legendary Bobby Jones.

From Los Angeles Times

But his malaprops and his too-affectionate ways are endearing compared with the boasts and bloody bombast of The Current Occupant.

From Washington Post