bon mot
noun
bōⁿ-ˈmō 
plural bons mots bōⁿ-ˈmō(z) or bon mots bōⁿ-ˈmō(z)
or bon mots bōⁿ-ˈmō(z) : a clever remark : witticism
his bons mots were being repeated … from coast to coast
W. J. Fisher
W. J. Fisher
Example Sentences
She had a sparkling bon mot for every occasion.
Recent Examples on the Web But her encounters with the queen of the bon mot weren’t the point. Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2022 In one conspicuous sense, though, the bon mot—or perhaps mal mot—elicited by Vinson’s death clashes with the dominant perception of Frankfurter. Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The affable Democrat from Kentucky will hold court with gaggles of reporters during votes, frequently offering several minutes of extended analysis of the state of play for the Democratic agenda, peppered with the occasional bon mot. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2021 Depending on his place in the hierarchy, any one of the guests would be expected to rise and disgorge a brief, bon mot–studded toast. TheWeek, 17 May 2020 But during the creation process, some bon mots were just too good for this world, and died nobly on the cutting room floor. Dan Snierson, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2020 Deep thoughts, cheap shots & bon mots ... • Aldon Smith’s comeback attempt with the Dallas Cowboys will be one of the compelling stories of the season, if there is a season. Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 4 Apr. 2020 Deep thoughts, cheap shots & bon mots from the bunker. . Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 28 Mar. 2020 Hanks played the late kids’ TV icon as a guru of empathy, doling out heartwarming bon mots to a troubled journalist (Matthew Rhys) who's tasked to profile Rogers but is skeptical of the man’s absolute goodness. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2020 See More
Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2022 In one conspicuous sense, though, the bon mot—or perhaps mal mot—elicited by Vinson’s death clashes with the dominant perception of Frankfurter. Justin Driver, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The affable Democrat from Kentucky will hold court with gaggles of reporters during votes, frequently offering several minutes of extended analysis of the state of play for the Democratic agenda, peppered with the occasional bon mot. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2021 Depending on his place in the hierarchy, any one of the guests would be expected to rise and disgorge a brief, bon mot–studded toast. TheWeek, 17 May 2020 But during the creation process, some bon mots were just too good for this world, and died nobly on the cutting room floor. Dan Snierson, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2020 Deep thoughts, cheap shots & bon mots ... • Aldon Smith’s comeback attempt with the Dallas Cowboys will be one of the compelling stories of the season, if there is a season. Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 4 Apr. 2020 Deep thoughts, cheap shots & bon mots from the bunker. . Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 28 Mar. 2020 Hanks played the late kids’ TV icon as a guru of empathy, doling out heartwarming bon mots to a troubled journalist (Matthew Rhys) who's tasked to profile Rogers but is skeptical of the man’s absolute goodness. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
French, literally, good word
First Known Use
1713, in the meaning defined above