Glossary

malapropism

Subject: 

  • English First Additional Language
  • English Home Language

a figure of speech involving the accidental use of a wrong word which sounds rather like the right word, e.g. In The Rivals (Sheridan), the character of Mrs Malaprop says, He is the very pineapple of politeness. (The writer means pinnacle which would suggest that he is very polite.) See figure of speech.