Malapropism - GCSE English Language Definition

Malapropism is a humorous language mistake where someone uses the wrong word by accident, often choosing one that sounds similar. This usually leads to a sentence that doesn't make sense or sounds amusing. Malapropisms are often used in literature and plays to make the reader or audience laugh or to show that a character is confused or lacks knowledge. In GCSE English, being able to spot malapropisms can help you understand how writers use language for humour or character development.

A well-known example is in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, where the character Dogberry says "condemn" instead of "commend." Recognising malapropisms can help you appreciate how writers play with words to entertain and create meaning.