Definition: hitch, mishap, slight complication; (music) off-beat rhythm

Nous voulions partir ce matin, mais il y a eu un contretemps - We wanted to leave this morning, but there was a slight complication

à contretemps - at a bad/inopportune moment

Il est arrivé à contretemps - He arrived at an inopportune moment

(click the little graphic below to hear the Mot du jour pronounced)

Pronunciation: [ko(n) treu ta(n)]