enfant terrible

noun

en·fant ter·ri·ble äⁿ-fäⁿ-te-ˈrēblᵊ How to pronounce enfant terrible (audio)

plural enfants terribles äⁿ-fäⁿ-te-ˈrēblᵊ How to pronounce enfant terrible (audio)

: a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment

: a person known for shocking remarks or outrageous behavior

: a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde

Did you know?

Enfant terrible, which literally means "terrifying child" in French, sounds like something that might be uttered by a frazzled babysitter. Indeed, when English speakers first borrowed the term in the mid-19th century, it was used in reference to children - specifically, unpredictable children who blurted out outrageous remarks that embarrassed their elders. By the 1930s, the term had a broader application: an enfant terrible could be anyone - young or old - whose behavior shocked others. Now the term is also often applied to young, successful newcomers who shock or scare old-timers with their new approaches, easy successes, or disregard for tradition.

Example Sentences

an author who reveled in his role as the enfant terrible of American letters

Recent Examples on the Web At 11 years and change, the enfant terrible is already sporting the hunchback and hook nose, and dreaming of world domination.

Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 June 2022 On the one hand, Mr. Brook was the enfant terrible with a talent for resuscitating classic plays and drawing major performances from major actors.

BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2022 On the one hand, Mr. Brook was the enfant terrible with a talent for resuscitating classic plays and drawing major performances from major actors.

New York Times, 3 July 2022 Once, the enfant terrible of the White Stripes had routinely denounced computers for their deadening effects on rock.

Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 9 June 2022 Hopper, the movies’ enfant terrible, and Hayward, the taste-making daughter of showbiz royalty, made for one of Hollywood’s more unlikely yet influential power couples during the 1960s.

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 May 2022 Elon Musk does relish playing to the crowd as the enfant terrible of auto manufacturing, generating an insulating admiration from his fans, but Kanye and Jay-Z are truly in a bind.

New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022 Now, fashion’s enfant terrible returns to the ever-versatile seating, this time for a bold new outdoor edition that debuts just in time for the warmer months.

Helena Madden, ELLE Decor, 11 Mar. 2022 After rave reviews but slow sales, Lollapalooza kick-started the career of enfant terrible de la Rocha and his band of merry muckrakers.

Katherine Turman, SPIN, 26 Feb. 2022 See More

单词	enfants terribles
释义	enfant terrible noun en·fant ter·ri·ble äⁿ-fäⁿ-te-ˈrēblᵊ plural enfants terribles äⁿ-fäⁿ-te-ˈrēblᵊ 1 a : a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment b : a person known for shocking remarks or outrageous behavior 2 : a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde Did you know? Enfant terrible, which literally means "terrifying child" in French, sounds like something that might be uttered by a frazzled babysitter. Indeed, when English speakers first borrowed the term in the mid-19th century, it was used in reference to children - specifically, unpredictable children who blurted out outrageous remarks that embarrassed their elders. By the 1930s, the term had a broader application: an enfant terrible could be anyone - young or old - whose behavior shocked others. Now the term is also often applied to young, successful newcomers who shock or scare old-timers with their new approaches, easy successes, or disregard for tradition. Synonyms bohemian boho counterculturist deviant free spirit heretic iconoclast individualist lone ranger lone wolf loner maverick nonconformer nonconformist See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences an author who reveled in his role as the enfant terrible of American letters Recent Examples on the Web At 11 years and change, the enfant terrible is already sporting the hunchback and hook nose, and dreaming of world domination. Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 June 2022 On the one hand, Mr. Brook was the enfant terrible with a talent for resuscitating classic plays and drawing major performances from major actors. BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2022 On the one hand, Mr. Brook was the enfant terrible with a talent for resuscitating classic plays and drawing major performances from major actors. New York Times, 3 July 2022 Once, the enfant terrible of the White Stripes had routinely denounced computers for their deadening effects on rock. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 9 June 2022 Hopper, the movies’ enfant terrible, and Hayward, the taste-making daughter of showbiz royalty, made for one of Hollywood’s more unlikely yet influential power couples during the 1960s. Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 May 2022 Elon Musk does relish playing to the crowd as the enfant terrible of auto manufacturing, generating an insulating admiration from his fans, but Kanye and Jay-Z are truly in a bind. New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022 Now, fashion’s enfant terrible returns to the ever-versatile seating, this time for a bold new outdoor edition that debuts just in time for the warmer months. Helena Madden, ELLE Decor, 11 Mar. 2022 After rave reviews but slow sales, Lollapalooza kick-started the career of enfant terrible de la Rocha and his band of merry muckrakers. Katherine Turman, SPIN, 26 Feb. 2022 See More Word History Etymology French, literally, terrifying child First Known Use 1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1a enfants terribles noun plural of enfant terrible as in bohemians a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs an author who reveled in his role as the enfant terrible of American letters Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance bohemians mavericks lone rangers free spirits lone wolves nonconformers counterculturists anomalies deviants loners individualists nonconformists eccentrics freaks nuts heretics iconoclasts bohos characters eight balls outsiders cranks weirdos oddballs freethinkers misfits kooks crackbrains screwballs codgers aberrants crackpots Antonyms & Near Antonyms supporters adherents sheep followers conformers conformists
随便看	geniture genitures genius genius loci genius locis geniuses genizah genizahs genizaro genizero genizot genizoth Genk genl genliseae genliseas gennaker Gennesaret, Lake of gennet gennets geno- genoa genoa jib genoa jibs genoas

enfant terrible

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun