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mondegreen

noun
mon·​de·​green | \ ˈmän-dÉ™-ËŒgrÄ“n How to pronounce mondegreen (audio) \

Definition of mondegreen

: a word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung "very close veins" is a mondegreen for "varicose veins"

Examples of mondegreen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 That’s called a mondegreen, when a word or phrase is created after mishearing something said or sung. — Southern Living, "Today Is National Ampersand Day," 8 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mondegreen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of mondegreen

1954, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for mondegreen

from the mishearing in a Scottish ballad of "laid him on the green" as "Lady Mondegreen"

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