WordValemalapropism
the comic misuse of a word for a similar-sounding one
In more detail
1. (noun) the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with an unintentionally amusing result
2. (noun) an instance of using the wrong word this way
Examples
- 1. Saying "Texas has a lot of electrical votes" instead of "electoral votes" is a malapropism.
- 2. That malapropism made everyone laugh at the meeting.
How to use malapropism
A malapropism occurs when someone uses a word that sounds similar to the intended word but has a completely different meaning, typically producing an unintentionally humorous effect. It differs from a simple mistake in that the substitute word is phonetically similar to the correct one. The term is formal and literary, often used in discussions of language, comedy, or characterization.
Common phrases
- commit a malapropism
- guilty of malapropism
- classic malapropism
- amusing malapropism
- intentional malapropism
Synonyms
solecism · misuse of words · incorrect word choice · linguistic error · verbal blunder
Word family
malapropist (noun) · malapropistic (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse malapropism with other speech errors like spoonerisms or eggcorns; malapropism specifically requires a wrong word that sounds similar to the right one.
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