malapropism
[ mal-uh-prop-iz-uh m ]
/ ˈmæl ə prɒpˌɪz əm /
noun
an act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, especially by the confusion of words that are similar in sound.
an instance of this, as in “Lead the way and we'll precede.”
OTHER WORDS FROM malapropism
mal·a·prop·is·tic, adjectiveWords nearby malapropism
malanje,
malapert,
malapportioned,
malaprop,
malaprop, mrs.,
malapropism,
malapropos,
malar,
malar bone,
malar process,
malaria
British Dictionary definitions for malapropism
malapropism
/ (ˈmæləprɒpˌɪzəm) /
noun
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
the habit of misusing words in this manner
Derived forms of malapropism
malaprop or malapropian, adjectiveWord Origin for malapropism
C18: after Mrs
Malaprop in Sheridan's play
The Rivals (1775), a character who misused words, from
malapropos
Cultural definitions for malapropism
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.”