# Conte

/ˈkɔnt/ (US) · /kəntˈɛ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conte
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a short story that is usually about an adventure or a magical event. It is often written in a simple but elegant style.

For teachers: a short narrative, typically focusing on adventure or imaginative events. Often associated with the oral tradition or the literary fairy tales of the 17th and 18th centuries.

## Examples

- The author wrote a short conte about a lost kingdom.
- The professor explained that the conte was a popular literary form in the French salons of the late seventeenth century.
- While the novel allows for extensive character development, the conte relies on a swift, economical narrative pace to deliver its moral or fantastical conclusion.

## Usage notes

- Often used in a literary context to refer specifically to French short stories or philosophical tales.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.