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1. Dictionary

   contretemps

   /ˈkɒntrətɒ̃/

   noun

   • 1. a minor dispute or disagreement: "she had occasional contretemps with her staff" Similar argumentquarrelsquabblealtercationclashfightdisagreementdifference of opiniondisputedissensioninformal:tiffset-torun-inspatrowbarneyaftersrammy
   • ▪ an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence: "the hotel had to deal with more than one contretemps before the end of the night" Similar mishapmisadventureaccidentmischanceunfortunate occurrenceawkward momentproblemdifficulty

   Word Origin late 17th century (originally as a fencing term, denoting a thrust made at an inopportune moment): French, originally ‘motion out of time’, from contre- ‘against’ + temps ‘time’.

   Scrabble Points: 17

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2. People also ask

   What does contretemps mean?

   • From the fencing bout contretemps slid gracefully onto the dance floor, a contretemps being a step danced on an unaccented beat. Both meanings are in keeping with the word’s French roots, contre- (meaning "counter") and temps (meaning "time"). (The word’s English pronunciation is also in keeping with those roots: \KAHN-truh-tahn\.)

   Contretemps Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   What is an example of a contretemp?

   • An unforeseen event that disrupts the normal course of things; an inopportune occurrence. An inopportune happening causing confusion or embarrassment; awkward mishap. A brief or minor argument or quarrel. Contretemps are defined as unfortunate or embarrassing occurrences. An example of a contretemp is being caught in a cheating scandal.

   Contretemps Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

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   Did you know about contretemps?

   • Did you know? Did you know? When contretemps first appeared in English in the 1600s, it did so in the context of fencing: a contretemps was a thrust or pass made at the wrong time, whether the wrongness of the time had to do with one’s lack of skill or an opponent’s proficiency.

   Contretemps Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   What is a contretemps in baseball?

   • A contretemps is a badly-timed event or an embarrassing situation. Did you see the outfielders run into each other and the shortstop slip and fall in the mud? Don't laugh — we all have our contretemps. The word contretemps, pronounced "CON-tre-tahn," is French — contre means "against" and temps means "time."

   Contretemps - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › contretempsContretemps Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › contretemps

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   contretemps: [noun] an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › contretempsCONTRETEMPS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › contretemps

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   CONTRETEMPS definition: 1. a small argument or unlucky event, often happening in public and causing social embarrassment…. Learn more.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › contretempsCONTRETEMPS Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › contretemps

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   Contretemps definition: an inopportune occurrence; an embarrassing mischance. See examples of CONTRETEMPS used in a sentence.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › contretempsCONTRETEMPS | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › contretemps

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   CONTRETEMPS meaning: 1. a small argument or unlucky event, often happening in public and causing social embarrassment…. Learn more.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › contretempsCONTRETEMPS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › contretemps

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   3 meanings: 1. an awkward or difficult situation or mishap 2. fencing a feint made with the purpose of producing a.... Click for more definitions.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › contretempsContretemps - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › contretemps

   contretemps: 1 n an awkward clash “he tried to smooth over his contretemps with the policeman” Type of: brush , clash , encounter , skirmish a minor short-term fight

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › contretempscontretemps noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › contretemps

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   Definition of contretemps noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.