malentendu

noun

mal·​en·​ten·​du
mȧläⁿtäⁿdᵫ̅
plural -s
: misunderstanding
through some malentendu arrived an hour late

Word History

Etymology

French, from mal entendu misunderstood, from mal badly + entendu, past participle of entendre to understand, interpret, be attentive

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near malentendu

Cite this Entry

“Malentendu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malentendu. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!