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

She is a fluid writer but not the sort to go in search of le mot juste.

From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2018

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

Searching, like Flaubert, for le seul mot juste, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. offered “tawdry” and “distasteful” to describe McDonnell’s behavior.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2016

Now, Maupassant, of whom it has been said that he is the master of the mot juste, has never been a dealer in words. 

From Notes on Life and Letters by Conrad, Joseph