hors concours Meaning

Keyword: Hors concours

Definition: The term hors concours is a French phrase that translates literally to “outside of competition.” In English, it typically refers to a participant that is not competing in a contest or competition due to various reasons—often because of exceptional talent or achievement that sets them apart from other competitors. It can also indicate that something is being presented for exhibition purposes only, without the aim of winning a prize or being scored.

Usage: In context, “hors concours” is frequently used in art contests, competitions, and exhibitions to denote entries that are not considered for prizes. For example, a renowned artist may submit a piece of work “hors concours” to showcase it without the intention of competing for an award.

Example Sentence: “The artist’s latest masterpiece was displayed hors concours, as the judges wanted to appreciate it without biasing the competition.”

Etymology: The phrase hors concours comes from French, where “hors” means “outside” and “concours” translates to “competition” or “contest.” It has been adopted into English usage primarily in contexts involving art and competitions, retaining its original French form due to its specific connotation.

Pronunciation: The pronunciation of “hors concours” can be broken down phonetically as /ɔːʁ kɔ̃.kʊʁ/ in French. In English contexts, it is often pronounced as /ɔːr kɒŋˈkʊər/ or /ɔːr kənˈkʊər/.

Synonyms:

• Out of competition
• Non-competitive
• Exhibited (without competition)

Antonyms:

• In competition
• Competing
• Contesting

In summary, “hors concours” is a term denoting non-competitive status in the context of competitions and exhibitions, particularly in artistic domains, highlighting distinctions that merit recognition without a competitive edge.

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