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double-entendre — a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌdʌbəl ɑːnˈtɑːndrə/

Example Sentences

  • The bakery's slogan 'We knead you!' was a perfect double-entendre.
  • Shakespeare was notorious for sneaking double-entendre into his plays.
  • The wine commercial's 'Aged to perfection' carried an obvious double-entendre.

double-entendre

NOUN

[/ˌdʌbəl ɑːnˈtɑːndrə/]

a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent

double-entendre — a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent (concept illustration)
💡 Concept

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌdʌbəl ɑːnˈtɑːndrə/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌdʌbəl ɒnˈtɒndrə/

🌳Etymology

Rootdouble
Suffix-entendre

Origin

From French 'double entendre' meaning 'to hear doubly' or 'double meaning.' Ironically, this phrase is no longer used in modern French but survived only in English.

Breakdown

double (two/twice) + entendre (to hear/understand) - literally 'to hear in two ways'

🎵Rhyme

agendaaddendahacienda
agenda
addenda
hacienda

🔗Collocations

sexual double-entendre
clever double-entendre
use double-entendre
loaded with double-entendre
subtle double-entendre

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The bakery's slogan 'We knead you!' was a perfect double-entendre.”

“Shakespeare was notorious for sneaking double-entendre into his plays.”

😄 Fun example

“The wine commercial's 'Aged to perfection' carried an obvious double-entendre.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

innuendowordplaypunsuggestive remark

Antonyms

literal statementdirect speechplain language

Related

ambiguitywithumorsubtletysuggestion

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