Skip to content

dénouement

outcome, resolution

noun deh-noo-MAHN Rare
Arts & Culture Literature

Origin: French dénouer (to untie) + -ment

Also means

denouement

Usage Note

Dénouement refers to the final resolution of a plot's complications, borrowed directly into English as a literary term. In French it is used both in literary criticism and in everyday speech for any situation's final unraveling. Le dénouement de l'affaire means the final outcome of the matter.

Examples

"Le dénouement du roman est inattendu."

Natural Translation

The novel's ending is unexpected.

Literal Translation

The denouement of-the novel is unexpected.

Explore French by topic