denouement

noun

de·​noue·​ment ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ  dā-ˈnü-ˌmäⁿ 

variants or less commonly dénouement

plural denouements also dénouements

1

: the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a novel, play, film, etc.

In the novel's denouement, the two hostages escape to freedom.

It is an intentionally unsettling denouement, which is in keeping with the tone and purpose of the entire miniseries.

—David Wiegand

2

: the outcome of a complex sequence of events

the competition's exciting denouement

Examples of denouement in a Sentence

In the play's denouement, the two lovers kill themselves.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, the final episodes are a disappointing, sloppy denouement that replaces the show’s initial creepy confusion for bored exhaustion. —James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024

What other sport would have just a smattering of spectators for the denouement of a domestic competition? —Tim Ellis, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

The German will arrive in Turin for the campaign denouement at the ATP Finals as the second seed. —Tim Ellis, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Less emotional but equally effective dramatically is the apparent denouement of the Vince/Chickie power struggle back in New York. —Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French dénouement, literally, untying, from Middle French desnouement, from desnouer to untie, from Old French desnoer, from des- de- + noer to tie, from Latin nodare, from nodus knot — more at node

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

denouement

noun

de·​noue·​ment ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmän  dā-ˈnü-ˌ 

1

: the final solution or untangling of the conflicts or difficulties that make up the plot of a literary work

2

: the outcome of a complicated or difficult situation or sequence of events