Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
malaprop
noun
ˈmaləˌpräp
Definition
A malaprop is the misuse of a word that sounds similar to the intended word but has a completely different meaning, often creating a humorous effect.
Examples
- “He is the pineapple of politeness” instead of “pinnacle of politeness” is a classic malaprop.
- “She is the lawless of the land” instead of “flawless.”
Meaning
Malapropisms are typically unintentional and arise from confusion between similar-sounding words, often revealing a speaker’s lack of knowledge about the correct term.
Synonyms
- misuse
- blunder
- slip of the tongue
- verbal faux pas
