French

1 of 3

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of France, its people, or their language
2
: of or relating to the overseas descendants of the French people
Frenchness noun

French

2 of 3

noun

1
plural in construction : the French people
2
: a Romance language that developed out of the Vulgar Latin spoken in northern and central Transalpine Gaul and that became the literary and official language of France
3
: strong language
pardon my French

french

3 of 3

verb

frenched; frenching; frenches
often capitalized

transitive verb

1
: to trim the meat from the end of the bone of (something, such as a chop)
2
: to cut (green beans) in thin lengthwise strips before cooking

Examples of French in a Sentence

Noun the customs of the French
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Boulud’s team can also be booked for private in-unit dining, where dedicated butlers will greet guests with a champagne service, followed by tasting menus that include dishes like Boulud’s signature duo de boeuf, and other French favorites. Tim Chan, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Amaya, Carmel Valley: A four-course, prix fixe meal will be on the Easter table at this French restaurant, along with bottomless mimosas. Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024 Benedict and StudioCanal’s French production team will work with WTFilms under the scope of the new partnership. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024 Screening French cinema six consecutive Thursdays, March 14-April 18. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024 In 1864, a French army officer brought live axolotls back to Europe, where scientists were surprised to learn that the seemingly juvenile aquatic salamanders were capable of reproduction. Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 Her take on French toast uses sourdough baguette, which retains gentle chewiness after a soak in cinnamon-vanilla custard. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The Iranian French actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi has the eyes of a silent film heroine and the face of a Modigliani. Ty Burr, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Johanna De Jesus Dos Santos, French gymnast who was the 2021 European balance beam champion, 2019 European all-around champion, and the 2017 and 2018 French national champion. Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'French.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English frencisc, from Franca Frank

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of French was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near French

Cite this Entry

“French.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/French. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

French

1 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to France, its people, or their language

French

2 of 2 noun
1
: the Romance language of the French
2
French plural : the people of France

Medical Definition

French

noun
plural French
: a unit of measure equal to one-third millimeter used in measuring the outside diameter of a tubular instrument (as a catheter or sound) inserted into a bodily cavity
the catheter shaft size is three FrenchMedical Industry Today
abbreviation F

Biographical Definition

French

biographical name

Daniel Chester 1850–1931 American sculptor
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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