Grand Guignol

[ French grahngee-nyawl ]

noun
  1. a short drama stressing horror and sensationalism.

  2. of, relating to, or resembling such a drama.

Origin of Grand Guignol

1
First recorded in 1905–10; after Le Grand Guignol, small theater in Paris where such dramas were performed

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How to use Grand Guignol in a sentence

  • As the writer of the article pointed out, the play was a Grand Guignol piece produced away from its proper environment.

    December Love | Robert Hichens
  • Your Parisian hoaxer likes a dash of Grand Guignol horrors in his jokelet.

    Swirling Waters | Max Rittenberg

British Dictionary definitions for Grand Guignol

Grand Guignol

/ French (ɡrɑ̃ ɡiɲɔl) /


noun
    • a brief sensational play intended to horrify

    • (modifier) of, relating to, or like plays of this kind

Origin of Grand Guignol

1
C20: after Le Grand Guignol, a small theatre in Montmartre, Paris

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012