Meaning & use
bon vivant
Last updated
UK/ˌbɒ̃ viːˈvɒ̃/
US/ˌboʊn viˈvɑnt/
Meaning
nouncountableformal
A sociable person who enjoys fine food, drink and the pleasures of life.
Grammar: Used for men and women; plural is bon vivants or bons vivants.
Patterns
- a bon vivant
- a noted bon vivant
Our uncle is a true bon vivant who hosts long dinners.
The author was known as a bon vivant and a gifted storyteller.
A bon vivant, she knew every good restaurant in town.
Word forms
| plural | bon vivants |
|---|
Common combinations
- a true bon vivant
- He was a true bon vivant, always planning the next feast.
- famous bon vivant
- The famous bon vivant owned a vineyard.
- bon vivant lifestyle
- Her bon vivant lifestyle cost a fortune.
- charming bon vivant
- The charming bon vivant entertained the whole table.
Synonyms and how they differ
- gourmet
- A gourmet is a food and drink expert, while a bon vivant enjoys all kinds of pleasure and socializing.
- epicure
- Epicure is a rarer, more formal word that centers on refined taste in food and wine.
- hedonist
- Hedonist suggests chasing pleasure above all else and is more critical in tone.
- socialite
- Socialite is a person active in high society, not necessarily one who loves fine living.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: bon vivant or bon voyage?
bon vivant vs bon voyage
Bon voyage is said to someone setting off on a trip; a bon vivant is a person who enjoys the good life.
Practice
The host, a famous ___, served seven courses and several wines.
Choose one answer.
A bon vivant loves fine food and drink. An ascetic lives simply, which is the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bon vivant”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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