“Double Entendre” Meaning with Useful Examples

If you have ever heard someone use the term ‘double entendre’ in a conversation, you may have questioned what it meant. Let’s have a look into the meaning of this term and how it can be used in conversation. We will also look at where the saying came from originally.

Double Entendre

Double Entendre Definition

The meaning of this phrase is that a word or sentence has a double meaning. Often the meaning of the sentence will be perfectly innocent and its ‘double entendre’ will be something slightly rude or comical.

Origin of this Idiom

This is a term which originates from the French language and literally translates to ‘double hear.’ The term was first used in English in the 17th century and was particularly apt to its meaning as at the time, the Brits considered all things French to be slightly risque.

Other Ways to Say the Phrase

Of course, as with many idioms, there are other ways in which you can express the meaning of the term ‘double entendre.’ Here are some examples of things you could say.

  • Innuendo
  • Double meaning
  • Pun intended

Double Entendre Examples

Example Sentences

You would use this term when you heard a phrase which was intended for its literal use but also could refer to a more sexy or funny thing. For example, if you heard someone say something like ‘Emma is soaking wet,’ it would mean that Emma has probably been out in the rain, but the sentence could also refer to a more sexual context to which you might say ‘ooh, stop with the double entendre‘.

You might also use this to convey a hidden meaning, such as a sentence like ‘I’d love to be working underneath Tony.’ which could mean that you would love to have Tony as your boss, but what you really mean is that you would love to be underneath his body in a sexual manner.

Other examples:

  • He is a master of the pun and the double entendre.
  • I found none of the double entendres in Whiplash Whispers funny, and the illustrations were a bit tasteless.
  • It was funny surely, because it dissolved that secret source of female power into a double entendre.

Conversation Examples

If you are curious to know how to use the term ‘double entendre’ in a conversation, here are some examples of how it could be done. In the first conversation the people are referring to jokes made by a comedian to be double entendre. Then in the second conversation we see two people talking about how someone regularly uses a double entendre. Finally we see someone using a double entendre in a conversation, when he refers to drawers, he is talking about an item of furniture, but drawers is also another word for underwear.

Conversation 1:

  • Person 1: “I went to see that new comedian last night.”
  • Person 2: “How was he?”
  • Person 1: “The show was excellent, full of double entendre.”

Conversation 2:

  • Person 1: “Samantha is such a funny person, she is always saying things that make me laugh.”
  • Person 2: “Yes but she can be a little risque with how often she will use a double entendre.”

Conversation 3:

  • Person 1: “Why are you so annoyed?”
  • Person 1: “My drawers are broken.”
  • Person 2: “You want to be careful there isn’t a draft.”

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Last Updated on March 21, 2021

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