Calembour (en. Pun)

/ka.lɑ̃.buʁ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

A play on words that creates a comic effect through sound similarity.

The famous pun by La Fontaine about the frog and the ox has made generations laugh.

Le célèbre calembour de La Fontaine sur la grenouille et le bœuf a fait rire des générations.

A literary genre exploiting the ambiguities of language.

This poet excels in the art of pun with witty verses.

Ce poète excelle dans l'art du calembour avec des vers plein d'esprit.

The word 'pun' comes from the old French 'calembour', possibly deriving from 'calem' and 'bour' which evoked a play on words.

To make a pun

To create a play on words.

Faire un calembour

A two-bit pun

A play on words that is not very original or inspired.

Calembour à deux sous

To have a punning spirit

To be inclined to make puns.

Avoir l'esprit calembouresque

play on words

Manipulation of language to create double meanings or ambiguities.

jeu de mots

humor

The ability to provoke laughter or pleasure through words or actions.

humour

language

A system of communication through sound or written signs.

langue

A funny and unexpected play on words.

He came up with a pun that made everyone laugh at the meeting.

Il a sorti un calembour qui a fait rire tout le monde à la réunion.

A pun that falls flat.

His latest pun didn't hit the mark; it was a bit forced.

Son dernier calembour n'a pas fait mouche, c'était un peu forcé.