French word

demi-mot

Pronunciation

IPA/dəmimo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounhint

Example

Nous nous sommes compris d'un demi-mot.

We understood each other from the slightest hint.

Illustration for demi-mot (hint)

More examples

Elle a compris à demi-mot.

She understood what was left unsaid.

Core concept

A partial utterance that lets the listener supply the unspoken meaning.

Common phrases

  • à demi-mot

    implicitly

  • comprendre à demi-mot

    understand what was left unsaid

Similar words

sous-entendu: An implied meaning that is suggested rather than clearly stated.
allusion: An indirect expression that hints at something without naming it directly.
non-dit: An unspoken matter or meaning left unsaid.
signe: A gesture or brief word used to convey an intention as a signal.

Definition in French

Un demi-mot désigne une allusion brève ou un sous-entendu exprimé par une parole partielle qui permet de faire comprendre quelque chose sans l'énoncer complètement.

Word origin

Demi-mot is a French compound of demi, meaning "half," and mot, meaning "word," for a word left only partly expressed.

Usage tips

  • In se comprendre d'un demi-mot, d'un demi-mot means with very few words, while à demi-mot often introduces an indirect hint.

Other meanings

  • insinuationnoun
  • implicationnoun

Word lists with this word