malapropism

UK:^*^*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈmæləprɒpˌɪzəm/

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈmæləprɑpˌɪzəm/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(mal′ə prop iz′əm)

mal•a•prop•ism n.

Literature[uncountable] a confused use of words in which an appropriate word is replaced by one with similar sound but foolishly wrong meaning.
Literature[countable] an instance of this, as in "Lead the way and we'll precede.''

mal•a•prop•ism n.

Literaturean act or habit of misusing words ridiculously, esp. by the confusion of words that are similar in sound.
Literaturean instance of this, as in "Lead the way and we'll precede.''

mal′a•prop•is′tic, adj.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

malapropism /ˈmæləprɒpˌɪzəm/ n

the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one of similar sound, esp when creating a ridiculous effect, as in I am not under the affluence of alcohol
the habit of misusing words in this manner

Etymology: 18th Century: after Mrs Malaprop in Sheridan's play The Rivals (1775), a character who misused words, from malapropos

'malapropism' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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