denouement
Say it: day-NOO-mon /deɪˈnuːmɒ̃/ · noun
What “denouement” means
The final part of a story that settles unfinished matters.
More precisely: The final part of a story, where loose ends are tied up and resolved.
Example: “The thriller's denouement was so rushed it felt like the writers ran out of time.”
When to use it
When discussing how a book, film or play wraps things up after its biggest conflict has ended.
Memory trick
French dénouement means untying: imagine a story's tangled threads finally coming loose.
Similar words
resolution, conclusion, finale
Where it comes from
French dénouement, 'untying'.
Quick check
After the thief is caught, the final chapter explains where the missing jewellery went. Which part is this?
the climax or the denouement?
Show the answer
the denouement
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