Word meaning
malapropism
noun · MAL-uh-prop-iz-um
What does malapropism mean?
Malapropism means the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with comic effect.
Malapropism in a sentence
“Saying "for all intensive purposes" is a classic malapropism.”
Synonyms for malapropism
- misusage
- slip
- verbal blunder
Where does malapropism come from?
From Mrs. Malaprop, a character in Richard Sheridan's 1775 play The Rivals.
How to remember malapropism
- Say it out loud a few times: MAL-uh-prop-iz-um.
- Write one sentence of your own using malapropism, about something that happened to you today.
- Quiz yourself tomorrow, in three days, and next week. Spaced reviews are what make new words stick.
More words worth knowing
- vociferous — expressing opinions in a loud and forceful way.
- mediocre — of only moderate quality; not very good.
- cacophony — a harsh, jarring mix of sounds.
- surreptitious — kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
- dogmatic — inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true, without considering evidence or other opinions.
- labyrinthine — complicated and confusing, like a maze.