single entendre
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈsɪŋɡəl ɒnˈtɑːndər/
:
entendre simple
- Her speech avoided subtlety, relying instead on single entendre jokes.
Examples
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He prefers the simplicity of a single entendre over complex wordplay.
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The comedian's act was full of single entendres that everyone could understand.
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That joke was a single entendre.
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I prefer a single entendre over a double one.
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His joke was a clear single entendre, making everyone laugh without any confusion.
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In a world full of ambiguity, finding a single entendre is quite refreshing.
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She always prefers a single entendre in her writing to ensure clarity for her readers.
Antonyms
- NSFW
7
8.4
A phrase with two meanings, one often innocent and the other rude about sex
How Ambiguous
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a joke with only one clear meaning' is directly and compositionally derived from 'single' (one) + 'entendre' (meaning/interpretation). This is a transparent, predictable formation—especially as a contrast to 'double entendre'—so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Single entendre was made from the older saying 'double entendre', by replacing 'double' with single to show there is only one meaning. Because entendre comes from a word meaning 'to understand', the phrase gives the picture of one clear 'understanding', so it means 'a remark with only one clear meaning'.