Malaprop (Noun)
Meaning
The unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- She malaproped when she referred to the defendant as "in continent" instead of "in contempt" during the court hearing.
- His frequent malapropism in using the word "mitigate" when he meant to say "militate" became a running joke in the office.
- The actor's malaprop during the play was embarrassing when she said "Old England expects that every man this day will do his dooder" instead of "duty".
- The comedian's use of malapropisms was so convincing that the audience couldn't tell whether it was intentional or not when he said "he's a wolf in cheap clothing" instead of "sheep's".
- Her tendency to commit malaprops led to her famous statement about being a "blushing crow" when she obviously meant "bride to be".