coup de théâtre

noun

coup de thé·​âtre ˌkü-də-tā-ˈätrᵊ How to pronounce coup de théâtre (audio)
variants or coup de theatre
plural coups de théâtre or coups de theatre ˌkü-də-tā-ˈätrᵊ How to pronounce coup de théâtre (audio)
1
: a sudden sensational turn in a play
also : a sudden dramatic effect or turn of events
2
: a theatrical success

Word History

Etymology

French coup de théâtre, literally, stroke of theater

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coup de théâtre was in 1747

Dictionary Entries Near coup de théâtre

coup de repos

coup de théâtre

coupé

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Coup de théâtre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup%20de%20th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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