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 as Barnum ended nearly a century of trying to edit that sense of wonder into the mot juste, he finally nailed it at the end.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 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

The mixing up of our identities is probably explained by the fact that we are both stylists and seekers for the mot juste.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, 192-06-30 by Various