mot juste

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Gainsbourg is bilingual, but French is her first language; she pauses occasionally in our conversation to search around for le mot juste.

From The Guardian • Oct. 26, 2019

“And if they don’t want to feel rich, then they’re probably—” He pauses to consider the mot juste, then adds, “Dead.”

From The New Yorker • Jul. 13, 2018

Two years later, “thirst” remains with us as the mot juste for these and other people, moments and things — and the evidence of that thirst has only grown more undeniable.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2017

In January, when PhD students jostle for jobs at the annual meeting of the American Economic Association, a “market” might seem the mot juste.

From Economist • Nov. 24, 2016

Apart from all questions of stage technique, Wilde had the incomparable gift of finding le mot juste, of conveying a portrait in half-a-dozen words.

From Oscar Wilde by Ingleby, Leonard Cresswell