plural bons mots bōⁿ-ˈmō How to pronounce bon mot (audio) bōⁿ-ˈmōz How to pronounce bon mot (audio)
ˌbän-ˈmōz
or bon mots bōⁿ-ˈmō How to pronounce bon mot (audio) bōⁿ-ˈmōz How to pronounce bon mot (audio)
ˌbän-ˈmōz
: a clever remark : witticism
his bons mots were being repeated … from coast to coastW. J. Fisher

Examples of bon mot in a Sentence

She had a sparkling bon mot for every occasion.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rather than the stiff alien chitchat that dots his own screenplays, the characters in The Favourite trade the witty, venomous bon mots of The Great creator Tony McNamara. A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025 In a wheelchair since a 2012 stroke, the 79-year-old icon was still sharp as a tack — as numerous bon mots proved — with a vivid memory matched only by his dry humor. Katherine Turman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025 His character, school bus driver Kevin McKay, could probably use some of McConaughey’s helpful bon mots. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025 The Han Solo bon mot is reminiscent of Diego Luna's confusion when he is asked about smoothing some of Cassian Andor's rougher edges to go undercover as fashion designer Varian Skye in the second block of Andor season 2 episodes. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bon mot

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, good word

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bon mot was in 1713

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Cite this Entry

“Bon mot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bon%20mot. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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