Malapropism


[mal-uh-prop-iz-uh m] /ˈmæl ə prɒpˌɪz əm/

noun
1.
an act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion of words that are similar in sound.
2.
an instance of this, as in “Lead the way and we’ll precede.”.
/ˈmæləprɒpˌɪzəm/
noun
1.
the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one of similar sound, esp when creating a ridiculous effect, as in I am not under the affluence of alcohol
2.
the habit of misusing words in this manner
n.

1826, from Mrs. Malaprop, character in Sheridan’s play “The Rivals” (1775), noted for her ridiculous misuse of large words (e.g. “contagious countries” for “contiguous countries”), her name coined from malapropos.
malapropism [(mal-uh-prop-iz-uhm)]

A humorous confusion of words that sound vaguely similar, as in “We have just ended our physical year” instead of “We have just ended our fiscal year.”

Note: Mrs. Malaprop, a character in an eighteenth-century British comedy, The Rivals, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, constantly confuses words. Malapropisms are named after her.

Read Also:

  • Malapropos

    [mal-ap-ruh-poh] /ˌmæl æp rəˈpoʊ/ adjective 1. inappropriate; out of place; inopportune; untimely: a malapropos remark. adverb 2. inappropriately; inopportunely. /ˌmælæprəˈpəʊ/ adjective 1. of an inappropriate or misapplied nature or kind adverb 2. in an inappropriate way or manner noun 3. something inopportune or inappropriate adv. 1660s, from French mal à propos “inopportunely, inappropriately,” literally “badly […]

  • Malapropistic

    [mal-uh-prop-iz-uh m] /ˈmæl ə prɒpˌɪz əm/ noun 1. an act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion of words that are similar in sound. 2. an instance of this, as in “Lead the way and we’ll precede.”. /ˈmæləprɒpˌɪzəm/ noun 1. the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one of similar […]

  • Malar

    [mey-ler] /ˈmeɪ lər/ Anatomy adjective 1. of or relating to the cheek or . noun 2. Also, malar bone. . [mey-ler, -lahr] /ˈmeɪ lər, -lɑr/ noun 1. Lake, a lake in S Sweden, extending W from Stockholm. 440 sq. mi. (1140 sq. km). /ˈmeɪlə/ adjective 1. of or relating to the cheek or cheekbone noun […]

  • Malar-bone

    [mey-ler] /ˈmeɪ lər/ Anatomy adjective 1. of or relating to the cheek or . noun 2. Also, malar bone. . noun, Anatomy. 1. a bone on each side of the face below the eye, forming the prominence of the cheek; cheekbone. noun 1. either of two bones, one on each side of the skull, that […]

  • Malaria

    [muh-lair-ee-uh] /məˈlɛər i ə/ noun 1. Pathology. any of a group of diseases, usually intermittent or remittent, characterized by attacks of chills, fever, and sweating: formerly supposed to be due to swamp exhalations but now known to be caused by a parasitic protozoan, which is transferred to the human bloodstream by a mosquito of the […]


Disclaimer: Malapropism definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.