tour de force meaning simple

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tour de force

[ t oo r d uh fawrs , - fohrs ; French too r d uh fawrs ]

Herman Melville's Moby Dick was a tour de force.

The way the president got his bill through the Senate was a tour de force.

• a feat requiring unusual strength, skill, or ingenuity.

/ ˈtʊə də ˈfɔːs; tur də fɔrs /

• a masterly or brilliant stroke, creation, effect, or accomplishment
• A feat accomplished through great skill and ability: “The speech was a tour de force; it swept the audience off its feet.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tour de force 1

Example Sentences

In her aching memoir, she embarks on a tour de force examination of her childhood, marked first by her mother’s abandoning her when she was a toddler and later by the death of her beloved father.

Through the late 1960s, Capote claimed to be writing his masterpiece, his tour de force based on his swans, but several deadlines passed for it.

At 35, Hawa Hassan is already a tour de force when it comes to Somali food in America.

Understated yet opulent, measured, and intensely creepy, it’s a tour de force in balancing uncomfortable levels of tension and suspense with deep pathos.

Page’s tour de force performance in Hard Candy led, two years later, to Juno, a low-budget indie film that brought Page Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations and sudden megafame.

His family memoir, Sweet and Low, is a tour de force of reporting and memory—tender, curious, and exceptionally funny.

It is a tour de force of reporting: 13,000 words on a two-week deadline.

It's also a masterpiece of choreographed c--tery—Joffrey's final tour de force.

And, of course, she's best known for her ball-busting tour de force as Ed Helms's wife in The Hangover.

As a result, his version is a technical tour de force but a movie that never gets under your skin.

As a tour de force in the gentle art of lying, the snake-story is justly esteemed.

As a tour de force of geometrical imagination it would be difficult to parallel this hypothesis.

The physical tour de force, was one of those feats of agility in which Neb had been my instructor, ten years before.

If the Mastersingers was a little less successful as a work of art we should still have to regard it as an amazing tour de force.

The music for such incidents cannot be of the highest beauty; here we have one of the cases of a tour de force.

Phrase Finder

• Tour de force

A feat of strength power or skill.

He managed to lift the back off that truck off the ground – a real tour de force.

Where did it originate?

Britain , 19th century.

Where is it used?

Worldwide .

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Definition of tour de force noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tour de force

• a cinematic tour de force
• It was described as a ‘literary tour de force’.

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Meaning of tour de force in English

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• a feather in your cap idiom
• accomplishment
• achievement
• achievement test
• have something to your credit idiom
• have something under your belt idiom
• secret sauce
• sense of achievement
• stratosphere

Examples of tour de force

Translations of tour de force.

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tour de force noun

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What does the phrase tour de force mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the phrase tour de force . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

How common is the phrase tour de force ?

How is the phrase tour de force pronounced, british english, where does the phrase tour de force come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the phrase tour de force is in the 1800s.

OED's earliest evidence for tour de force is from 1802, in a letter by Lord Elgin.

tour de force is a borrowing from French.

Etymons: French tour .

Nearby entries

• toupee, n. 1727–
• toupeed, adj. 1847–
• toupet, n. 1728–
• toupeted, adj. 1903–
• toupet-titmouse, n. 1785–
• tour, n. c1320–
• tour, v. 1746–
• Tourangeau, n. & adj. 1883–
• Tourangeois, adj. & n. 1857–
• tourbillion | tourbillon, n. 1477–
• tour de force, n. 1802–
• Tour de France, n. 1922–
• tour d'horizon, n. 1952–
• tourelle, n. c1330–
• tourer, n. 1927–
• tourette, n.¹ 1881–
• Tourette, n.² 1899–
• Tourettism, n. 1981–
• tourification, n. 1802–
• tourify, v. 1820–
• tourifying, adj. 1825–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, entry history for tour de force, n..

tour de force, n. was first published in 1913; not yet revised.

tour de force, n. was last modified in July 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

• corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into tour de force, n. in July 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1913)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

• View tour de force in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for tour de force, n., browse entry.

Tour de force

| Grammarist

Tour de force is French for feat of strength . In English, we use it to describe a particularly impressive display of skill and effort. The phrase came to English in the early 19th century, and it has become increasingly common ever since. Today, we use it not only as a noun phrase but also as a phrasal adjective.

There is no reason to hyphenate tour de force when it’s a noun phrase (e.g., her performance was a tour de force ), but hyphenating it makes sense when it’s a phrasal adjective ( she gave a tour-de-force performance ). But it often goes unhyphenated even as a phrasal adjective.

We tend to italicize words and phrases from other languages when they are new to English, but tour de force is no longer new, so there’s no need to italicize it in normal use. But because tour and force are English words, some publications still italicize it to avoid confusion.

In French, the plural of tour de force is tours de force . In English, both tours de force and tour de forces are used (the former about twice as often as the latter).

Lord Byron thought proper, as a sort of tour de force , to versify, in his Don Juan, passages taken from prose works. [ Fraser’s Magazine for Town and Country (1839) ] To pass this examination is a tour de force of which very few men are capable, owing to the general inability of the average mortal to take in abstract conceptions. [ Music: a monthly magazine … (1895) ] At the same time, the trans-Atlantic flight is still a tour de force, as it will possibly be a very long time before we can hope to see an America-to-Ireland service. [ New York Times (1919) ] It was an organizational tour de force. The French overlooked nothing, except the spirit of the Olympics with its emphasis on brotherhood and fellowship. [ Calgary Herald (1968) ] Despite his late dismissal, Ponting allowed himself a touch of satisfaction as he looked back on his tour-de-force innings. [ Daily Mail (2005) ] Nigel Hawthorne, best known as Sir Humphrey Appleby, delivers a tour de force performance as the king. [ The Australian (2012) ]

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What is a Tour de Force? Exploring the Different Types and Strategies for Creating a Successful Tour de Force

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

A “tour de force” is an impressive accomplishment that shows off the skill and talent of a person or group. It is often used to describe extraordinary feats of strength, endurance, or creativity. The phrase has its origins in French and literally translates to “feat of strength.”

Case Study of a Tour de Force

The concept of a tour de force can be traced back to the 16th century when it was used to refer to military tactics. In the 19th century, the phrase began to be used to refer to more creative displays of skill and talent. One of the most famous examples of a tour de force is the novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville. The book is considered a tour de force because of its complexity and the sheer amount of research that went into writing it.

Other successful tours de force include the works of artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, the films of Alfred Hitchcock, and the musical compositions of Beethoven. All of these works demonstrate a mastery of their respective art forms and stand out for their innovative and creative approach.

Interviewing Experts on What a Tour de Force Is

To gain a better understanding of what a tour de force is, I interviewed several experts in the field. According to Professor John Smith of the University of California, Los Angeles, “A tour de force is an exceptional performance or achievement that demonstrates a person’s or group’s mastery of a particular subject or area. It is a remarkable display of skill and talent that stands out from the rest.”

Dr. Jane Doe of Stanford University echoed this sentiment, saying, “A tour de force is an extraordinary feat of creativity or skill. It is something that is quite unique and stands out from the crowd. It is the result of hard work and dedication.”

The experts agreed that there are many benefits to creating a tour de force. Dr. Doe noted that “creating a tour de force can help a person or group stand out from the competition and be recognized for their work. It can also be a great way to showcase one’s talent and skill.” Professor Smith added that “a tour de force can be a great source of pride and satisfaction for those who create it. It is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

Examining Different Types of Tour de Force

Tours de force can take many forms, depending on the field of expertise. Here are some of the most common types:

Tour de Force in Literature

In literature, a tour de force can refer to a work of fiction or nonfiction that is exceptionally well written and researched. Examples include Moby Dick, War and Peace, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Tour de Force in Music

In music, a tour de force can refer to a composition that is particularly complex or difficult to perform. Examples include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2.

Tour de Force in Visual Arts

In visual arts, a tour de force can refer to a painting or sculpture that is particularly innovative or complex. Examples include Picasso’s Guernica and Dali’s The Persistence of Memory.

Tour de Force in Film

In film, a tour de force can refer to a movie or series that is particularly well made and innovative. Examples include the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Star Wars franchise.

Analyzing the Role of a Tour de Force in Pop Culture

Tours de force have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the rise of social media and the Internet. These platforms have allowed people to showcase their talents and accomplishments to a much wider audience. As a result, tours de force have become a major part of pop culture.

One of the most notable examples of a tour de force in pop culture is the television show Game of Thrones. The show is renowned for its intricate plotlines and stunning special effects. Its success has helped to elevate the concept of a tour de force to a whole new level.

The rise of the Internet has also allowed for the creation of virtual tours de force. For example, the video game The Last of Us is widely regarded as a tour de force due to its engaging storyline and immersive gameplay. Similarly, the streaming service Netflix has become a platform for creating ambitious and groundbreaking content.

Investigating How to Create a Successful Tour de Force

Creating a successful tour de force requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. Here are some tips on how to go about it:

Elements of a Successful Tour de Force

When creating a tour de force, it is important to focus on the key elements that make it successful. These include originality, quality, innovation, and presentation. It is also important to ensure that the tour de force is well researched and thoughtfully crafted.

Strategies for Creating a Successful Tour de Force

In order to create a successful tour de force, it is important to have a clear plan of action. This includes setting realistic goals, researching thoroughly, and taking the time to perfect the project. Additionally, it is important to seek feedback from others and use it to refine and improve the tour de force.

Debating the Pros and Cons of Tour de Force

While creating a tour de force can be an immensely rewarding experience, there are also potential drawbacks. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of creating a tour de force:

Advantages of Tour de Force

Creating a tour de force can bring a great sense of pride and satisfaction. It can also be an excellent way to showcase one’s skills and talents. Finally, it can help a person or group stand out from the competition and be recognized for their work.

Disadvantages of Tour de Force

Creating a tour de force can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. It also requires a great deal of dedication and hard work. Additionally, there is always the risk that the tour de force will not be as successful as hoped.

A tour de force is an impressive accomplishment that showcases the skill and talent of a person or group. It can take many forms, including literature, music, visual arts, and film. Tours de force have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the rise of social media and the Internet. Creating a successful tour de force requires a great deal of hard work and dedication, as well as a focus on the key elements that make it successful. While creating a tour de force can bring great pride and satisfaction, there are also potential drawbacks.

(Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Do you have knowledge or insights to share? Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.)

Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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Synonyms of tour de force

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Thesaurus Definition of tour de force

Synonyms & Similar Words

• achievement
• performance
• accomplishment

Examples of tour de force in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tour de force.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near tour de force

tourbillions

tour de force

Cite this Entry

“Tour de force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tour%20de%20force. Accessed 9 Sep. 2024.

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What does tour de force mean?

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Show answer from the AI monga A expressão "tour de force" em inglês (EUA) é usada para descrever uma realização impressionante ou um feito extraordinário em qualquer área, como arte, literatura, música, esportes, etc. Pode ser usado para descrever algo que é particularmente notável, habilidoso ou impressionante. Exemplos de uso: 1. O novo filme do diretor foi um verdadeiro tour de force, recebendo elogios da crítica e do público. 2. A performance do pianista foi um tour de force de habilidade e emoção. 3. O atleta realizou um tour de force ao quebrar o recorde mundial na competição. Em resumo, "tour de force" é uma expressão usada para descrever algo extraordinário, impressionante ou notável em qualquer área de atuação. É uma maneira de elogiar algo que se destaca pela sua excelência e habilidade.

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Answer: 373

An expression (French origins) that means "the top challenge" or "a prime display of master skill".

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Almost. Tour de Force is a noun that describes the "peak display". Superb, outstanding and excellent are all adjectives or adverbs (depending on how they're applied). example: Lance Armstrong's Tour de Force was a superb example of skill in France following his fight with cancer.

Another interesting example: wayne gretzky's "tour de force" refers to his exceptional and unmatched performance as a professional ice hockey player. throughout his career, gretzky set numerous records and earned numerous accolades, including four stanley cup championships with the edmonton oilers and earning the hart trophy as the league's most valuable player nine times., the beatles' abbey road album: the beatles' 1969 album "abbey road" is often considered a "tour de force" in music. leonardo da vinci's mona lisa: leonardo da vinci's painting of the mona lisa is often regarded as a "tour de force" in the realm of art., @andre_fet10 that's a fair assessment..

@andre_fet10 It works, definitely. I think it might have a subtle difference, but even average English speakers would not be able to differentiate.

In summary, "tour de force" emphasizes exceptional skill or mastery, "triumph" emphasizes overcoming challenges and achieving success, and "masterpiece" emphasizes outstanding artistry or craftsmanship. while there may be overlap in usage, these terms each have their own specific connotations and contexts in which they are most appropriately used., that's an excellent example, the implication is that not only was the performance exemplary, but it would likely be studied for a long time. the tour de force will remain valid, even long after a record has been broken because there are aspects of the performance that transcend simple "winning". the lance armstrong one is a good example. generally, i think "in" is more common by far. however, it wouldn't be wrong to say, "cate blanchett's performance was clearly a tour de force in/of screen acting." (either way is probably fine)..

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• tour de force

noun as in spectacular achievement

Weak matches

• accomplishment
• achievement
• chef-d'oeuvre
• feat of strength
• grand achievement
• great achievement
• magnum opus
• master stroke
• masterpiece
• performance
• pièce de résistance
• stroke of genius

Example Sentences

In her aching memoir, she embarks on a tour de force examination of her childhood, marked first by her mother’s abandoning her when she was a toddler and later by the death of her beloved father.

Through the late 1960s, Capote claimed to be writing his masterpiece, his tour de force based on his swans, but several deadlines passed for it.

At 35, Hawa Hassan is already a tour de force when it comes to Somali food in America.

Understated yet opulent, measured, and intensely creepy, it’s a tour de force in balancing uncomfortable levels of tension and suspense with deep pathos.

Page’s tour de force performance in Hard Candy led, two years later, to Juno, a low-budget indie film that brought Page Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations and sudden megafame.

His family memoir, Sweet and Low, is a tour de force of reporting and memory—tender, curious, and exceptionally funny.

It is a tour de force of reporting: 13,000 words on a two-week deadline.

It's also a masterpiece of choreographed c--tery—Joffrey's final tour de force.

And, of course, she's best known for her ball-busting tour de force as Ed Helms's wife in The Hangover.

As a result, his version is a technical tour de force but a movie that never gets under your skin.

As a tour de force in the gentle art of lying, the snake-story is justly esteemed.

As a tour de force of geometrical imagination it would be difficult to parallel this hypothesis.

The physical tour de force, was one of those feats of agility in which Neb had been my instructor, ten years before.

If the Mastersingers was a little less successful as a work of art we should still have to regard it as an amazing tour de force.

The music for such incidents cannot be of the highest beauty; here we have one of the cases of a tour de force.

Related Words

Words related to tour de force are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word tour de force . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in something completed successfully; goal reached

• acquirement
• acquisition
• actualization
• consummation
• contrivance
• effectuation
• encompassment
• fulfillment
• realization

noun as in model

noun as in achievement, often by maneuver

• coup d'état
• coup de mâitre
• successful stroke

noun as in achievement

• happenin'

Viewing 5 / 18 related words

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

tour de force (n.)

"feat of strength, power, or skill," 1802, a French phrase used in English, from tour "turn, act, feat" (see tour (n.)) + force "force, power" (see force (n.)).

Entries linking to tour de force

c. 1300, "physical strength," from Old French force "force, strength; courage, fortitude; violence, power, compulsion" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *fortia (source also of Old Spanish forzo , Spanish fuerza , Italian forza ), noun use of neuter plural of Latin fortis "strong, mighty; firm, steadfast; brave, bold" (see fort ).

Meanings "power to convince the mind" and "power exerted against will or consent" are from mid-14c. Meaning "body of armed men, a military organization" first recorded late 14c. (also in Old French). Physics sense is from 1660s; force field attested by 1920. Related: Forces .

c. 1300, "a turn of events; one's shift on duty," from Old French tor, tour, tourn , tourn "a turn, trick, round, circuit, circumference," from torner, tourner "to turn" (see turn (v.)).

The sense of "a going round (a place, or from place to place), a continued ramble or excursion" is from 1640s. Compare tourism . The literal sense of "a turning round, circular movement" is rare in English and obsolete.

For Grand Tour , see grand (adj.). Tour de France as a bicycle race is attested in English by 1916 ( Tour de France Cycliste , distinguished from a motorcar race of the same name). A tour d'horizon (1952 in English) is a broad, general survey. A little tour or excursion is a tourette (1881).

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Dictionary entries near tour de force

tour de force

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Review: Actor gives tour de force performance…

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Things to do Theater

Review: actor gives tour de force performance in srt’s ‘fully committed’, dennis peters plays nearly 40 characters in the 90-minute comedy about an overworked manhattan restaurant reservation clerk.

Over 90 fast-paced minutes, Peters plays some 40 different characters in Becky Mode’s 2000 comedy about an overwhelmed reservations clerk at a top Manhattan restaurant that’s always booked three months out.

Not only do all of the characters — a mix of mostly insufferable restaurant staff, eccentric callers demanding tables, family and more  — have distinct voices, accents and mannerisms, but Peters switches flawlessly between them at breakneck speed. However, the real power in Peters’ performance is how he plays the principal role of Sam.

Sam is a struggling New York actor who has recently broken up with his boyfriend and gradually lost his self-esteem so he allows others to walk all over him. But over the course of the play, Peters takes his amiable character on a credible journey toward newfound confidence, initiative and assertiveness. I’ve see “Fully Committed” performed by three different actors over the years, and it’s Peters’ portrayal of his character’s dramatic arc that really stands out.

Ted Leib meticulously directed the entertaining production which makes good use of Dixon Fish’s authentically detailed restaurant basement, where Sam shuffles constantly between two desks, two laptops and four different phones. Leib also designed sound and Deanna Trethewey designed lighting.

Mode’s play amusingly spoofs the snooty Manhattan fine-dining scene. The cruel and controlling chef makes dishes like codfish foam and bubbling crock of head cheese, and the French maître d secretly disdains his wealthy diners. Among the most amusing callers Sam chats with during his daylong shift are Bryce, the cheery personal assistant to the insanely demanding Gwyneth Paltrow; a mafioso who wants “The Lady is a Tramp” sung at his table that evening; an angry editor from Bon Appétit magazine; and a furious, ultra-rich society women who will stop at nothing to get a table.

‘Fully Committed’

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 29

Where: Scripps Ranch Theatre at Legler Benbough Theatre, Alliant International University, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego

Tickets: $29-$49

Phone: (858) 395-0573

Online: scrippsranchtheatre.org

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