“Apropos of Nothing” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 7, 2024 by Liam Daniel

The idiom “apropos of nothing” will not be a phrase that you will encounter often. Its usage has fallen by the wayside because of its uptight sound. However, if you have encountered this phrase recently and your confusion as to what it could mean bought you here, then you have come to the right place. Below you will find the meaning of this phrase, information behind its origin, and some example sentences and conversations to help you better understand. You will also discover some alternative words or phrases you can use to replace the phrase “apropos of nothing” during a conversation.

“Apropos of Nothing” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “apropos of nothing” means introducing a statement or comment that seems unrelated or irrelevant to the current topic of conversation. It signals that what is about to be said is not connected to the previous discussion but is being brought up anyway.
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Apropos Of Nothing Meaning

The phrase “apropos of nothing” means that something is relevant or applicable to the current conversation or situation, even though it may not seem connected at first glance. It is often used to introduce a comment or statement that appears to be unrelated or unexpected, highlighting that it may not have been prompted by the preceding discussion.

Examples:

  • “Apropos of nothing, did you hear about the new café opening downtown?”
  • “He mentioned his childhood memories, apropos of nothing, during the meeting.”

Origin of this idiomatic expression

The word “apropos” is derived from the French phrase “a propos” meaning “to the purpose.” It has existed and been used since the 16th-century. The words “of nothing” were added to the phrase to show that someone is mentioning a topic at random that has nothing to do with the current topic of discussion. You will not hear it as often today because its usage has slipped due to its archaic sounding English.

Usage of “Apropos Of Nothing”

  • In casual conversation:

“We were talking about the movie, and then, apropos of nothing, he started telling us about his new car.”

  • During a meeting:

“The team was discussing the budget, and apropos of nothing, she brought up her vacation plans.”

  • In a social setting:

“Apropos of nothing, he suddenly mentioned that he loves pineapple on pizza.”

  • In a narrative:

“We were walking in silence when, apropos of nothing, she asked if I believed in fate.”

Related Terms to “Apropos Of Nothing”

  • Out of the blue – something that happens unexpectedly or without warning.
  • By the way – used to introduce an additional point or change of topic in conversation.
  • In passing – a brief mention or remark that is not the main focus of discussion.
  • Just for the record – used to add information that may be unrelated but is still worth noting.
  • On a side note – introducing a secondary point that may not be directly related to the main topic.
  • As an aside – a comment that is not part of the main conversation but is related in some way.
  • Coincidentally – something that occurs by chance and may not be directly related.
  • In a random thought – sharing an idea or comment that seems disconnected from the current discussion.
  • Speaking of which – often used to transition to a related but different topic.
  • For no particular reason – indicating that a comment or thought is being shared without a direct prompt.

Alternatives to “Apropos Of Nothing”

There are several alternative words or phrases that you could use to replace the phrase “apropos of nothing” in a conversation. Some of the other words or phrases that you could use include:

  • Irrelevantly
  • Oh, by the way
  • Completely random

“Apropos Of Nothing” Examples

Example Sentences

  • Apropos of nothing, Ellen asked her aunt if she had ever read the book Charlotte’s Web.
  • Apropos of nothing in particular, the site included random nonsense stories between serious current events.
  • Apropos of nothing, he suddenly asked me if I liked cats!

Example Conversations

A conversation between father and son.

  • Father: How did the homecoming game go?
  • Son: It went very well. I scored the last touchdown and we won the game.
  • Father: That’s excellent! Apropos of nothing, have you ever thought about flying a plane?
  • Son: From football to planes. That’s random.

A discussion between two co-workers.

  • Co-worker 1: Did you see the new policies regarding our lunch breaks?
  • Co-worker 2: No.
  • Co-worker 1: That’s right, you weren’t here for the start-up meeting we had.
  • Co-worker 2: No, I was not. Apropos of nothing, did you see who was unmasked on the Masked Singer last night?
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3 thoughts on ““Apropos of Nothing” Meaning, Origin and Examples”

  1. Clever and better than BTW. It elevates the quality of conversation and introduction to off topic comments. Also adds a level of humor- such a proper introduction to a thought that is irrelevant or off topic. It’s a keeper.

  2. I wish I felt confident enough to use this phrase. It just doesn’t roll off my tongue compared to “oh, by the way” and I feel that explaining the idiom would not be of any benefit and would only serve to sound pretentious, thus causing embarrassment. A shame though. I like it. You really need to think of your ‘off topic’ sentence before using ‘apropos’ and sometimes that can make you think twice about your interjection.

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