enfant terrible

noun en·fant ter·ri·ble \äⁿ-fäⁿ-te-ˈrēbl^ə\

: a young and successful person who is sometimes shocking and does things in a way that is very different from normal

plural enfants terribles \same\

Full Definition of ENFANT TERRIBLE

a : a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment

b : a person known for shocking remarks or outrageous behavior

: a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde

See enfant terrible defined for English-language learners

French, literally, terrifying child

First Known Use: 1851

Synonyms: bohemian, boho, counterculturist, deviant, nonconformist, free spirit, heretic, iconoclast, individualist, loner, lone ranger, lone wolf, maverick, nonconformer

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