Definition of malapropism
- mistaken use of a similar-sounding word
Usage examples of malapropism
The comedy used malapropism when the character proudly said she was “a suppository of wisdom” instead of “a repository of wisdom.”
Saying “dance a flamingo” instead of “dance a flamenco” is a malapropism because the wrong similar-sounding word changes the meaning.
His speech was full of malapropisms, such as calling a “prostate exam” a “prostitute exam.”