First Known Use: 1851
Dictionary
enfant terrible
noun en·fant ter·ri·ble \äⁿ-fäⁿ-te-ˈrēblə\
: 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
1
a : a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment b : a person known for shocking remarks or outrageous behavior
2
: a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox, innovative, or avant-garde
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Origin of ENFANT TERRIBLE
French, literally, terrifying child
Related to ENFANT TERRIBLE
- Synonyms
- bohemian, boho, counterculturist, deviant, nonconformist, free spirit, heretic, iconoclast, individualist, loner, lone ranger, lone wolf, maverick, nonconformer
- Antonyms
- conformer, conformist
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