: a sociable person who has cultivated and refined tastes especially with respect to food and drink
She has become a bon vivant since moving to the city.

Did you know?

Do you consider yourself a bon vivant? If you’re not sure, perhaps a peek into the word’s origin will help. In French, the phrase literally means “good liver.” Fear not if you are among those who are underinformed about the state of their liver. The “liver” here is not the bodily organ, but one who lives; a bon vivant is one who lives well. English speakers have used bon vivant since the late 17th century to refer specifically to those who subscribe to a particular kind of good living—one that involves lots of social engagements and the enjoyment of fancy food and drink. This puts the term very much in the company of some other French words. Gourmet, gourmand, and gastronome all refer to those who love a fancy meal (though gourmand often carries the connotation of a tendency to overindulge). Bon appétit!

Examples of bon vivant in a Sentence

In addition to being a renowned travel writer, he was a bon vivant who loves to hold dinner parties and serve exquisite, elaborate meals.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Roosevelt used his bon vivant air to encourage people to speak up and share their truths with him. John Baldoni, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 While the Cyclades have made Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the Best Places to Go in 2024, for those en route to the islands, Athens and its bon vivant attitude await, and demand more than just a single night to be discovered. Anastasia Miari, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Mar. 2024 Zubkov is a free spirit and a bon vivant, and Yaffa relishes his antiauthoritarian spirit. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2020 The role of confidant and witty bon vivant to New York's most glittering society jewels was a position Capote held dear. Cady Lang, TIME, 2 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bon vivant 

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, good liver

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bon vivant was in 1674

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Dictionary Entries Near bon vivant

Cite this Entry

“Bon vivant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bon%20vivant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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