coup de théâtre

noun

coup de thé·âtre ˌkü-də-tā-ˈätrᵊ

variants or coup de theatre

plural coups de théâtre or coups de theatre ˌkü-də-tā-ˈätrᵊ

: a sudden sensational turn in a play

also : a sudden dramatic effect or turn of events

: a theatrical success

Examples of coup de théâtre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

A lot of lighting, visual and sound effects are required to pull off the coup de theatre. —

Scott Hocker, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French coup de théâtre, literally, stroke of theater

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of coup de théâtre was in 1747

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Coup de théâtre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup%20de%20th%C3%A9%C3%A2tre. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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