Bon Mot
noun /bɒn moʊ/ — A clever, witty remark.
Definition
A clever, aptly worded remark or witticism — literally 'a good word'. The bon mot distinguishes itself from a joke by its elegance and from a simple observation by its precision. It is wit applied to a specific moment, with exactly the right word.
Beyond the definition
The bon mot is the verbal equivalent of a perfect shot — the right words in the right order at the right moment. It pleases by its aptness, by the sense that language finally did exactly what was required.
Origin & history
French: 'good word'; from 'bon' (good) + 'mot' (word). The French expression entered English in the 18th century through the culture of salon wit.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Wilde's 'I can resist everything except temptation' is the bon mot in its most polished form — self-awareness raised to an art.
She had a reputation for the bon mot that made meetings bearable — the precise observation that was also somehow funny.
A bon mot without the right timing is just a clever sentence; the moment makes it something more.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Bon Mot” when the meaning fits your context: A clever, aptly worded remark or witticism — literally 'a good word'. The bon mot distinguishes itself from a joke by its elegance and from a simple observation by its precision. It is wit applied to a specific moment, with exactly the right word.
Synonyms
Antonyms
platitude, cliché, commonplace
Related words
Bon Mot vs witticism
A bon mot is a sophisticated, clever French-derived witticism. A witticism is any clever or humorous remark, regardless of its linguistic origin or level of formality.
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Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Clever and Elegant Remark
A small smile appears on a person's face as they deliver a sharp, clever joke.
The precise and apt nature of the remark distinguishes the bon mot from a simple joke, emphasizing elegance and the intelligence applied to a specific, unique moment in time.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Bon Mot" mean?
Bon Mot is noun meaning: A clever, witty remark.. A clever, aptly worded remark or witticism — literally 'a good word'. The bon mot distinguishes itself from a joke by its elegance and from a simple observation by its precision. It is wit applied to a specific moment, with exactly the right word.
Where does the word "Bon Mot" come from?
French: 'good word'; from 'bon' (good) + 'mot' (word). The French expression entered English in the 18th century through the culture of salon wit.