plus ça change

proverb

The more it changes, the more it's the same thing (sometimes loosely translated as the more things change, the more they stay the same).

OriginFrench plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose →
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Meanings

proverb
  1. literallyThe more it changes, the more it's the same thing (sometimes loosely translated as the more things change, the more they stay the same).
  2. Although the outward appearance may change, fundamentals are constant.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
same shit, different toiletthe more things change, the more they stay the same

Origin

  1. Frenchplus ça change, plus c'est la même chose“the more it changes, the more it's the same thing”
  2. Englishplus ça change

A short form (specifically, an anapodoton) of French plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose (“the more it changes, the more it's the same thing”).

More words from French

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

plus ça change. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plus%20%C3%A7a%20change

MLA

“plus ça change.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plus%20%C3%A7a%20change. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “plus ça change,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plus%20%C3%A7a%20change.

Source: plus ça change on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.