noun
entente
ahn-TAHNT/ɑːnˈtɑːnt/
A friendly understanding or informal alliance, especially between nations.
The two neighboring countries maintain an entente despite occasional disagreements.
Etymology
Old French entente concerned attention, intention, or an aim; French later used it for an understanding. In diplomacy, that understanding is a friendly relationship or agreement between governments.
In context
armed neutrality took him by surprise. I’m not going to talk about the situation in Italian politics during the year of armed neutrality before Italy entered the war with the Entente in 1915
More examples
- The entente allows both nations to cooperate without a formal treaty.
- A border dispute threatens the fragile entente between the former rivals.
- The two departments reach an uneasy entente over sharing office space.
Forms
entente · ententes
Similar words
- understanding
- A broader term for informal agreement, not necessarily between nations.
- alliance
- Usually suggests a firmer commitment to cooperate or provide support.
- accord
- Emphasizes agreement on specific issues rather than an ongoing relationship.