What does contretemps mean?
A contretemps is an unexpected and awkward mishap — a minor accident, embarrassment, or dispute that disrupts plans or tempers without causing lasting damage. The word entered English from French in the seventeenth century, where it originally described a mistimed movement in fencing ('contra-tempo', literally 'against the time') before broadening to cover any ill-timed or unlucky occurrence. Today it is most often heard in formal or literary contexts: diplomatic exchanges marred by 'a minor contretemps', social gatherings disturbed by 'a slight contretemps' between guests. Its connotations are gently ironic rather than grave — invoking a contretemps implies the matter is awkward and irritating but ultimately trivial, a verbal shrug at life's small collisions. For writers seeking an elegant way to describe a hiccup or squabble without sounding alarmed, contretemps offers precision with a touch of wit.
nounAn unexpected and embarrassing occurrence; an awkward or unfortunate mishap, especially one that causes a minor dispute or disruption.
- An unexpected, awkward, or embarrassing incident; a minor mishap or disagreement.
"The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly despite a few last-minute contretemps with the caterers."
"The negotiations were nearly derailed by a diplomatic contretemps over seating arrangements."
"After a brief contretemps with the taxi driver, they arrived at the theatre just in time for curtain."
The plural form is identical to the singular — the word does not change in English, reflecting its French origin.
"The trip was beset by several minor contretemps."
Borrowed straight from French, where it literally means 'against the time' — originally a fencing term for mistimed moves before it came to describe any awkward misstep in life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of contretemps
Contretemps comes directly from French contretemps, meaning 'against the time' or 'ill-timed', formed from the Latin elements contra ('against') and tempus ('time'). It was originally a fencing term denoting a blow struck out of rhythm, adopted into English in the early seventeenth century. From there its sense widened to any untoward or embarrassing occurrence, and eventually to a minor dispute. It shares its Latin roots with words such as tempo, temporary, and contemporary (all from tempus) and contradict and contraband (from contra).
How contretemps is actually used
Register is formal to literary; the word carries a slightly ironic or genteel tone, often used to downplay a squabble as something trifling rather than serious.
Easily confused with contretemps
A tempest is a violent storm (literal or figurative upheaval), whereas a contretemps is a small, awkward mishap or dispute.