french words in english

96 French Words That You (Probably) Didn’t Know Are Also Used in English

Did you know that you were already semi-French before actually deciding to learn the language?

In fact, if you believe some sources, over half of the English language derives from le français. That gives French a massive influence over English—but wait, it gets better.

While many English words that come from French have since changed their spellings and pronunciation, there are also plenty of French words in English that haven’t changed between the two languages.

Here are 96 entirely French words that we use in English.

Contents

Most Common French Words Used in English

photo-of-french-fries-on-brown-paper-with-ketchup-dip

Let’s kick off the post with some of the most common French words in English that you likely didn’t know were, well, French!

French Word / LoanwordFrench MeaningEnglish MeaningFrench Example Sentence
À la Carte According to a menuChoosing individual items off a menu Je voudrais des frites à la carte.
(I would like an order of fries à la carte.)
Attaché AttachedSomeone who works for an ambassador Elle est attachée à l'ambassadeur du Canada.
(She's an attaché to the Canadian ambassador.)
Avant-garde Before guard/Advance guardAn innovative movement in the arts, usually pertaining to artists who are "advanced" in their fields Andy Warhol était un artiste de l'avant-garde.
(Andy Warhol was an avant-garde artist.)
Bon Voyage Good tripGood trip Bon voyage ! Tu vas me manquer !
(Bon voyage! I will miss you!)
Bureau Physical desk/officePolitical or government office Le bureau des finances a refusé mon prêt.
(The financial bureau denied my loan.)
Carte Blanche White cardTo give someone the opportunity to do whatever they want to do, surrendering to their whim Il avait carte blanche.
(He had carte blanche.)
Chic Well-dressedWell-dressed Elle est très chic.
(She is so chic.)
Cliché Something so common, it's overratedSomething so common, it's overrated Leur mariage était tellement cliché.
(Their wedding was so cliché.)
Connoisseur Someone very knowledgeable about somethingSomeone very knowledgeable about something Il est un connoisseur de vin.
(He is a wine connoisseur.)
Cordon-bleu Blue ribbonA common dish where breaded chicken is cooked with ham and cheese Je veux un plat cordon bleu.
(I want a cordon-bleu dish.)
Coup de grâce A final strawA final straw Il n'y avait même pas de moutarde dans mon sandwich, c'était le coup de grâce !
(There wasn't even mustard in my sandwich, it was the coup de grâce!)
Cul-de-sac Bottom of the bagDead end of a road Cette rue menait à un cul-de-sac.
(This road has led to a cul-de-sac.)
Débris Broken pieces of materialBroken pieces of material La bombe a tout transformé en débris.
(The bomb turned everything into debris.)
Déjà Vu Already seenFeeling that you've seen/experienced something before J'ai eu un sentiment déjà-vu.
(I had [a feeling of] déjà vu.)
Eau de Toilette Toilet waterA light perfume used for washing/dressing J’ai acheté une bonne eau de toilette.
(I bought a good eau de toilette.)
En Route On the wayOn the way Votre paquet est en route.
(Your package is en route.)
Façade Frontage/FaceFake/Putting up a front/Front of a building La façade de cette maison est ancienne.
(The façade of this house is old.)
Faux pas MisstepSomething that isn't generally acceptable in the social realm Crier dans une bibliothèque est un faux pas.
(Screaming in the library is a faux pas.)
Femme Fatale Deadly womanA seductive woman with a dangerous streak Regardez, c’est une femme fatale !
(Look, she’s a femme fatale!)
Fiancé / Fiancée Someone who is engagedSomeone who is engaged Je vous présente mon fiancé.
(I introduce you to my fiancé.)
Gauche LeftSocial awkwardness/Socially awkward Il est un peu gauche.
(He is a little gauche.)
Hors-d'œuvre Out of workSmall dishes that come before a main course such as deviled eggs, cheese and crackers, etc. Les hors-d'œuvre étaient vraiment délicieux.
(The hors d'oeuvres were very delicious.)
Je Ne Sais Quoi I don’t know whatA quality that’s hard to describe but very attractive Elle avait un certain je ne sais quoi.
(She had a certain je ne sais quoi.)
Laissez-faire Let it happenRelaxed, hands-off attitude Il préfère laissez-faire ses employés.
(He prefers to be laissez-faire with his employees.)
Mirage Look at/Wonder atA visual wish or desire J'ai cru voir une île; c'était un mirage.
(I thought I saw an island; it was a mirage.)
Potpourri Rotten potFragranced dried flower, fruits and herbs used to get rid of bad odors J'ai acheté ce potpourri pour la salle de bain.
(I bought this potpourri for the bathroom.)
Souvenir Remember/RecallA tiny piece of memorabilia Peux-tu acheter un souvenir pour moi ?
(Can you buy a souvenir for me?)

French Culinary Terms in English

man and woman cooking together

French food is delicious, so it’s no wonder that English borrowed a few words (and cooking ideas) from the language!

French Word / LoanwordFrench MeaningEnglish MeaningFrench Example Sentence
Amuse-boucheMouth amuserBite-sized appetizer or palate cleanserLe chef a préparé un amuse-bouche exquis pour ouvrir le repas.
(The chef prepared an exquisite amuse-bouche to start the meal.)
Au gratinWith gratingsDish with a golden-brown crust on topLes pommes de terre étaient au gratin, avec une délicieuse croûte au fromage.
(The potatoes were au gratin, with a delicious cheesy crust.)
BéchamelBéchamelCreamy white sauce made with butter, flour and milkLes lasagnes étaient superposées avec de la sauce béchamel pour une texture riche et onctueuse.
(The lasagna was layered with béchamel sauce for a rich and smooth texture.)
BistroBistroSmall, casual restaurant serving simple, home-style dishesAllons dîner dans ce charmant bistro au coin de la rue.
(Let's have dinner at that charming bistro around the corner.)
Bouquet garniGarnished bouquetBundle of herbs tied together and used for flavoring in cookingLe ragoût mijotait avec un bouquet garni pour infuser les saveurs des herbes.
(The stew simmered with a bouquet garni to infuse the flavors of the herbs.)
BrasserieBreweryFrench-style restaurant serving beer and hearty foodNous avons savouré un délicieux dîner à la brasserie, en appréciant l'ambiance et les plats traditionnels.
(We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the brasserie, savoring the ambiance and traditional dishes.)
Café au laitCoffee with milkCoffee with hot milkJe préfère commencer ma journée avec un café au lait, c'est une façon réconfortante de se réveiller.
(I prefer starting my day with a café au lait, it's a comforting way to wake up.)
CanapéSofaSmall, bite-sized appetizer or hors d'oeuvreLes invités de la fête se sont régalés des délicieux canapés circulant grâce au personnel de service.
(The party guests delighted in the delicious canapés passed around by the waitstaff.)
CasseroleSaucepanOvenproof dish used for cooking and serving foodElle a préparé une savoureuse casserole de poulet pour le dîner.
(She prepared a savory chicken casserole for dinner.)
CharcuteriePork butcher's shopAssortment of cured meats, pâtés and sausagesLa planche de charcuterie mettait en vedette une sélection de produits…
(The charcuterie board showcased a selection of products...)
ChefChiefHead cook or professional chefLe chef a créé un chef-d'œuvre avec ses compétences culinaires innovantes.
(The chef created a masterpiece with his innovative culinary skills.)
Crème brûléeBurnt creamCreamy custard dessert with a caramelized sugar toppingLa crème brûlée avait une croûte de sucre parfaitement caramélisée.
(The crème brûlée had a perfectly caramelized sugar crust.)
CrêpePancakeThin, pancake-like pastryIls ont apprécié des crêpes sucrées garnies de Nutella et de fraises au petit-déjeuner.
(They enjoyed sweet crêpes filled with Nutella and strawberries for breakfast.)
CuisineCookingStyle of cooking or cuisineLa cuisine française est réputée pour son utilisation d'ingrédients frais.
(French cuisine is renowned for its use of fresh ingredients.)
ÉclairLightningLong, cream-filled pastry topped with icingElle n'a pas pu résister à l'éclair de la boulangerie.
(She couldn't resist the éclair from the bakery.)
EntréeEntryMain course or appetizer in a formal mealEn France, l'entrée désigne généralement l'entrée principale.
(In France, the term "entrée" typically refers to the main course.)
Filet mignonCute filletTender, boneless cut of beef or pork tenderloinIl a commandé le filet mignon cuit à point.
(He ordered the filet mignon cooked medium-rare.)
FlambéFlamedFood cooked with alcohol and set on fire brieflyLe serveur a préparé un dessert flambé à table.
(The waiter prepared a flambéed dessert at the table.)
FondantMeltingSoft and smooth dessert, often chocolate-basedLe fondant au chocolat dégageait du chocolat chaud et fondant lorsqu'on le coupait.
(The chocolate fondant oozed warm, molten chocolate when it was cut into.)
GourmetFine foodCulinary expert or food connoisseurIl se considère comme un gourmet et adore essayer de nouveaux plats.
(He considers himself a gourmet and loves trying new dishes.)
MacaronMacaroonSweet, meringue-based cookie with a creamy fillingElle a acheté une boîte de macarons colorés à la pâtisserie.
(She bought a box of colorful macarons from the patisserie.)
MousseFoamLight and frothy dessert or hair productLa mousse au chocolat était riche et délicieuse.
(The chocolate mousse was rich and delicious.)
PâtisseriePastry shopBakery specializing in pastries and sweetsLa pâtisserie exposait une tentante sélection de croissants, gâteaux et tartes.
(The patisserie displayed a tempting selection of croissants, cakes and tarts.)
QuicheCakeSavory, open-faced pastry filled with eggs, cream and various ingredientsNous avons dégusté une délicieuse quiche aux épinards et au fromage pour le brunch.
(We savored a delicious spinach and cheese quiche for brunch.)
RatatouilleRatatouilleVegetable stew made with eggplant, zucchini, peppers and tomatoesElle a cuisiné une ratatouille savoureuse avec des légumes d'été frais.
(She cooked a flavorful ratatouille with fresh summer vegetables.)
SautéJumpedCooking technique of quickly frying food in a small amount of fatIl a sauté les champignons jusqu'à ce qu'ils soient dorés.
(He sautéed the mushrooms until they were golden brown.)
SouffléPuffed upLight and airy baked dish made with egg yolks and beaten egg whitesLe soufflé au fromage a magnifiquement gonflé au four.
(The cheese soufflé rose beautifully in the oven.)
TartareTartarRaw or lightly cooked minced meat or fish mixed with seasoningsIl a commandé le tartare de bœuf avec une portion de frites croustillantes.
(He ordered the beef tartare with a side of crispy fries.)
VinaigretteLittle vinegarEmulsified dressing made with vinegar, oil and seasoningsElle a arrosé la salade d'une vinaigrette acidulée avant de la servir.
(She drizzled the salad with a tangy vinaigrette before serving it.)

French Fashion Words in English

woman-walking-down-runway

French fashion is definitely chic (that’s a French loanword too, as mentioned above). Here are a few more loanwords that have made their way down the French runway and straight into the English lexicon:

French Word / LoanwordFrench MeaningEnglish MeaningFrench Example Sentence
Avant-gardisteAvant-gardistPerson who embraces innovative and experimental fashionElle est connue comme une avant-gardiste dans l'industrie de la mode.
(She is known as an avant-gardist in the fashion industry.)
BéretBeretRound, flat-crowned hat, typically made of woolIl portait un élégant béret pour compléter son look d'inspiration française.
(He wore a stylish beret to complete his French-inspired look.)
BoutiqueShopSmall specialized shop or storeElle a trouvé une belle robe dans une boutique locale.
(She found a beautiful dress at a local boutique.)
ChapeauHatHat, typically a formal or fashionable oneElle portait un élégant chapeau pour le mariage royal.
(She wore an elegant chapeau to the royal wedding.)
ChignonBunHairstyle in which the hair is twisted or bun at the back of the headElle a coiffé ses cheveux en un chignon chic pour l'événement formel.
(She styled her hair in a chic chignon for the formal event.)
CoiffureHairdressingHairstyle or a hairdressing salonElle a rendu visite au coiffeur pour se faire une nouvelle coiffure.
(She visited the coiffure to get a new haircut.)
CorsetCorsetUndergarment worn to shape and support the waist and bustLe corset vintage mettait en valeur sa silhouette en sablier.
(The vintage corset accentuated her hourglass figure.)
CoutureSewingHigh-quality, custom-made clothing and craftsmanshipLa robe de couture était minutieusement confectionnée à la main avec des détails complexes.
(The couture gown was meticulously handcrafted with intricate details.)
CouturierDressmakerFashion designer, especially for women's clothingLe célèbre couturier a présenté sa dernière collection à la semaine de la mode.
(The famous couturier showcased his latest collection at the fashion week.)
DécolletageNecklineLow neckline or the exposed area of a woman's chest and necklineLa robe avait un beau décolletage qui ajoutait un élément d'allure.
(The dress had a beautiful décolletage that added an element of allure.)
DécolletéUncoveredLow neckline or a dress with a low necklineElle portait une superbe robe de soirée avec un décolleté audacieux.
(She wore a stunning evening gown with a daring décolleté.)
ÉclatShineBrilliance or radiance, often used to describe a person's styleSon sens de la mode avait un éclat sans effort qui attirait tous les regards.
(Her fashion sense had an effortless éclat that turned heads.)
EnsembleTogetherCoordinated outfit or a group of garmentsElle a assemblé un ensemble élégant pour le défilé de mode.
(She put together a stylish ensemble for the fashion show.)
FoulardScarfLightweight scarf, typically made of silkElle a noué un foulard coloré autour de son cou en tant qu'affirmation de style.
(She draped a colorful foulard around her neck as a fashion statement.)
Haute coutureHigh sewingHigh fashion, custom-made clothingElle aspire à travailler dans le monde de la haute couture.
(She aspires to work in the world of haute couture.)
LingerieUndergarmentsWomen's underwear or sleepwearElle a acheté de la lingerie neuve pour sa lune de miel.
(She bought some new lingerie for her honeymoon.)
ModisteHatmakerMilliner or a person who designs and makes hatsLa modiste a créé des chapeaux uniques et artistiques pour le défilé de mode.
(The modiste created unique and artistic hats for the fashion show.)
ParfumeriePerfumeryPerfume shop or a store that specializes in fragrancesElle a exploré la parfumerie à la recherche de son parfum signature.
(She explored the parfumerie in search of her signature scent.)
RobeDressDress, especially a formal or elegant oneElle portait une superbe robe rouge pour l'événement de gala.
(She wore a stunning red robe to the gala event.)
SilhouetteShadowOutline or shape of a person's body or a garmentLa robe flattait sa silhouette et mettait en valeur ses courbes.
(The dress flattered her silhouette and accentuated her curves.)
SoiréeEveningElegant evening social gathering or partyIls ont participé à une soirée glamour dans l'hôtel de luxe.
(They attended a glamorous soirée at the luxurious hotel.)

French Art and Culture Terms in English

colorful paintbrushes on canvas

From painting to music and beyond, these French words regularly show up in English if you’re in the art scene:

French Word / LoanwordFrench MeaningEnglish MeaningFrench Example Sentence
A cappella In the chapelSinging without instrumental accompaniment La chorale a interprété une belle version a cappella de l'hymne.
(The choir performed a beautiful a cappella rendition of the hymn.)
Art Nouveau New ArtDecorative style characterized by flowing lines and organic motifs Le bâtiment présentait une architecture magnifique de style art nouveau.
(The building featured stunning Art Nouveau architecture.)
Pastiche ImitationWork of art that imitates the style of another artist or period La peinture était un pastiche astucieux des chefs-d'œuvre de la Renaissance.
(The painting was a clever pastiche of Renaissance masterpieces.)
Atelier WorkshopArtist's workshop or studio La peintre passait des heures dans son atelier, créant des chefs-d'œuvre.
(The painter spent hours in her atelier, creating masterpieces.)
Ballet DanceClassical dance form Elle s'entraîne pour devenir une danseuse de ballet professionnelle.
(She is training to become a professional ballet dancer.)
Chef-d'œuvre MasterpieceMasterpiece, a work of outstanding skill and artistry La Joconde est considérée comme un chef-d'œuvre de l'art de la Renaissance.
(The Mona Lisa is considered a chef-d'oeuvre of Renaissance art.)
En plein air In the open airOutdoors, in the open air Les artistes ont installé leurs chevalets en plein air pour peindre le paysage pittoresque.
(The artists set up their easels en plein air to paint the scenic landscape.)
Joie de vivre Joy of livingJoy of living, zest for life Les tableaux de l'artiste ont capturé l'essence de la joie de vivre.
(The artist's paintings captured the essence of joie de vivre.)
Muse MuseSource of inspiration for an artist or creative individual Elle était sa muse, l'inspirant à créer de beaux poèmes.
(She was his muse, inspiring him to create beautiful poetry.)
Pièce de résistance MasterpieceMain attraction or showpiece La pièce de résistance de l'exposition d'art était une sculpture époustouflante.
(The pièce de résistance of the art exhibition was a stunning sculpture.)
Rendez-vous MeetingPlanned meeting or appointment Ils avaient un rendez-vous romantique au café.
(They had a romantic rendezvous at the café.)
Tableau PictureVisual representation, especially a scene or group of figures Le tableau représentait un paysage serein aux couleurs vibrantes.
(The tableau depicted a serene landscape with vibrant colors.)
Trompe-l'œil Deceives the eyeVisual illusion, often used in painting to create a realistic effect La fresque présentait une impressionnante technique de trompe-l'œil.
(The mural featured an impressive trompe-l'œil technique.)

French Architectural Terms in English

modern building surrounded by trees

Architecture hasn’t escaped French vocabulary influence, either! Here are some loanwords related to buildings, structures and all that’s related to them:

French Word / LoanwordFrench MeaningEnglish MeaningFrench Example Sentence
ArcadeArcadeSeries of arches supported by columns or pillarsLa rue commerçante était bordée de belles arcades, créant une atmosphère charmante.
(The shopping street was lined with beautiful arcades, creating a charming atmosphere.)
BalustradeBalustradeRailing or barrier with decorative postsL'escalier était orné d'une balustrade élégante.
(The staircase was adorned with an elegant balustrade.)
ChâteauCastleFrench castle or mansionIls ont visité un château majestueux dans la vallée de la Loire.
(They visited a majestic château in the Loire Valley.)
ParapetParapetLow protective wall or barrier along the edge of a roof or balconyLe parapet assurait la sécurité et servait d'élément décoratif sur la terrasse du toit.
(The parapet provided safety and served as a decorative element on the rooftop terrace.)
Porte cochèreCarriage doorCovered entrance or gateway for vehiclesLa grande propriété présentait une belle porte cochère pour les invités arrivants.
(The grand estate featured a beautiful porte cochère for arriving guests.)
VérandaPorchCovered outdoor area, often with a roof and open sidesIls ont apprécié un thé l'après-midi sur la véranda donnant sur le jardin.
(They enjoyed afternoon tea on the veranda overlooking the garden.)

Why We Use French Words in English

As French evolved from old Gaulish and Latin into what it is today, it became ever more universal. Even before modern borders were established, the French language was very dominant in modern-day England.

And while English evolved and became more of its own language, it also took on quite a bit of French during its formation at the same time.

Because the world is becoming more and more globalized, meaning different languages and cultures are interacting with each other as they never could before, this has led to an inevitable exchange of words and phrases between many languages.

 

And there you have it, a few French phrases that are officially part of the English language.

Can you think of any more?

And one more thing...

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FluentU takes real-world videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

Other sites use scripted content. FluentU uses a natural approach that helps you ease into the French language and culture over time. You’ll learn French as it’s actually spoken by real people.

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews and web series, as you can see here:

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FluentU brings native videos within reach with interactive subtitles.

You can tap on any word to look it up instantly. Every definition has examples that have been written to help you understand how the word is used.

learn-french-with-movies

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

learn-french-with-movie-trailers

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with FluentU's adaptive quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning and play the mini-games found in the dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

practice-french-with-adaptive-quizzes

As you study, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a 100% personalized experience.

It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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