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denouement

Noun

IPA /ˌdeɪˈnuːmɒ̃/

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Meaning in plain English

The final part of a story in which its main problems or mysteries are resolved.

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Pronunciation

denouement/ˌdeɪˈnuːmɒ̃/

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A mystery raises unanswered questions
The final scenes reveal what happened
The main plot is resolved

The denouement is the part of a story where its main problems are settled.

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The detective revealed the truth in the novel's surprising denouement.
We analysed how the play's denouement answered questions raised in the opening scene.

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The detective revealed the truth in the novel's surprising ________.

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denouement — The final part of a story in which its main problems or mysteries are resolved.

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The final part of a story in which its main problems or mysteries are resolved.

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Word origin

From French denouement, related to denouer, meaning unknot.

Did you know?

The French spelling with accents, dénouement, is also used in English.

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