French

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈfrɛntʃ/ 🇺🇸 /ˈfrɛntʃ/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    The Romance language spoken in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and many other countries, derived from Latin.; A person from France or of French descent.
  2. adjective
    Relating to France, its people, language, or culture.
  3. noun
    A style of playing billiards in which the balls are struck in a particular manner.; A type of card game.
  4. adjective
    Used in various compound terms to describe a style of preparation or design, such as French fries, French toast, French doors, or French windows.
  5. noun
    A type of horn (French horn), a brass musical instrument with a coiled tube and flared bell.; A style of manicure in which the tips of the nails are painted white while the rest is left natural or painted a pale color.; A type of kiss involving the use of the tongue (French kiss).
  6. adjective
    Relating to the historical Norman or Angevin influence in England, as in French leave (departing without permission or notice).

🔗 Details

Word forms

uncountable

Collocations

French friesFrench toastFrench kissFrench hornFrench windowFrench dressingFrench leave

Derivatives

FrenchifyFrenchificationFrenchmanFrenchwomanFrenchness

Synonyms

GallicFrancophone

Commonly confused

Francophone
EN: 'Francophone' refers to any French-speaking person or community regardless of nationality; 'French' specifically relates to France or its people.
Frankish
EN: 'Frankish' refers to the ancient Germanic Franks; 'French' refers to modern France and its culture.

Spelling tips

EN: 'French' must always be capitalized as it is a proper adjective/noun derived from a proper noun (France). It is never written in lowercase in standard English.

💬 Examples

  1. She studied French at university and now speaks it fluently.

  2. The French are known for their cuisine and wine.

  3. They enjoyed a French meal at the new bistro downtown.

  4. He preferred playing French over the English style of billiards.

  5. They played French all evening during the holiday gathering.

  6. The restaurant served French fries with every burger.

  7. She plays the French horn in the school orchestra.

  8. She got a French at the nail salon before her wedding.

  9. They shared a passionate French under the mistletoe.

  10. He took French leave from the party without saying goodbye to anyone.