Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [kon-truh-tahn; French kawntruh-tahn]
- /ˈkɒn trəˌtɑ̃; French kɔ̃trəˈtɑ̃/
- /ˈkɒn.trə.tɒ/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kon-truh-tahn; French kawntruh-tahn]
- /ˈkɒn trəˌtɑ̃; French kɔ̃trəˈtɑ̃/
Definitions of contretemps word
- countable noun contretemps A contretemps is a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing. 3
- noun contretemps an awkward or difficult situation or mishap 3
- noun contretemps a feint made with the purpose of producing a counterthrust from one's opponent 3
- noun contretemps a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing 3
- noun contretemps an inopportune happening causing confusion or embarrassment; awkward mishap 3
- noun plural contretemps an inopportune occurrence; an embarrassing mischance: He caused a minor contretemps by knocking over his drink. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of contretemps
First appearance:
before 1675 One of the 48% oldest English words
1675-85; < French, equivalent to contre- counter- + temps time (< Latin tempus); perhaps alteration (by folk etymology) of Middle French contrestant, present participle of contrester to oppose; see contrast
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Contretemps
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
contretemps popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 59% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
contretemps usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for contretemps
noun contretemps
- predicament — an unpleasantly difficult, perplexing, or dangerous situation.
- misfortune — adverse fortune; bad luck.
- disaster — a calamitous event, especially one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage, or hardship, as a flood, airplane crash, or business failure.
- misadventure — an instance of bad fortune; mishap.
- mishap — an unfortunate accident.
Antonyms for contretemps
noun contretemps
Top questions with contretemps
- what does contretemps mean?
See also
Matching words
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- Words starting with contretemps