English

Noun

mot juste ‎(plural mots justes)

1. The perfectly appropriate word or phrase for the situation.
   • 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter V:

     She legged it, and for a moment silence reigned. Then Bobbie said, “Phew!” and I agreed that “Phew!” was the mot juste.

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mo ʒyst/

Noun

mot juste m ‎(plural mots justes)

1. Exactly the right word or phrasing.

See also

• bon mot
• calembour
• jeu de mot
• l'esprit de l'escalier
• mot d'esprit