Do you speak French? If you speak English, the answer is "yes" — even if you don't know any French at all! There are many common French words and phrases you use in English every day in conversation and writing. Some have obvious French roots, but others are more subtle.
Common English Words With French Origins
You may not even realize you’re speaking French on a daily basis when you use these words. How many French parts of speech make their way into your sentences every day, or French restaurant words? Read the original French meanings of several words that are used in English today.
English Nouns Derived from French
When you think of French words used in English, you may skip over common nouns. But many nouns in English actually come from the French language.
| Noun | French Meaning | English Meaning |
| armoire | bookcase or cupboard | a cabinet or wardrobe |
| au pair | on equal terms | a nanny or babysitter who works for room and board |
| beau | handsome | a love interest |
| bouquet | bunch of flowers | a flower arrangement |
| bureau | dresser or desk | a government department or office |
| chauffeur | motorist or engine stoker (from chauffer - "to heat") | a person who drives others |
| cliché | to stereotype (past participle of clicher) | an overused expression or idea; stereotype |
| clique | a clicking sound | an exclusive group of friends |
| connoisseur | someone who knows | an expert in a subject, usually food or art |
| courage | heart (the seat of emotions) | bravery |
| cul-de-sac | bottom of sack | dead end on a street |
| debacle | to break up or to clear (débâcler) | a complete failure; fiasco |
| début | beginning | the first performance of a group |
| dinette | tea party | a small dining room or dining set |
| entrepreneur | a person who undertakes a project | someone who starts their own business |
| exposé | exposed | a story that exposes a scandal |
| femme fatale | deadly woman | a very seductive woman |
| fiance/fiancé | to betroth (past participle of fiancer) | a person engaged to be married |
| gaffe | boathook | a clumsy remark or error |
| genre | a type (from the Latin genus) | a category, kind or type of written work |
| impasse | impassable road | a situation with no good solution |
| papier-mâché | chewed paper | material made of paper pulp mixed with glue |
| protégé | protected | someone influenced by a mentor |
| queue | tail of an animal | a line to wait in |
| rendezvous | present yourselves | pre-arranged meeting or meeting place |
| souvenir | to remember | a memento or keepsake |
| voyeur | one who inspects | a prying observer |
French Adjectives in English
You probably already know that adjectives such as faux or blasé come from French. But did you know that bizarre and stupid also come from French?
| Adjective | French Meaning | English Meaning |
| bizarre | odd | strange |
| blank | innocent, white (blanc) | colorless or plain |
| blasé | to satiate (past participle of blaser) | unimpressed, jaded |
| bourgeois | resident of a walled town | distinctly middle class or aristocratic |
| bronze | tan (bronzé) | alloy of copper and tin; yellowish-gold color |
| certain | definite, positive | definite, positive |
| content | happy, pleased | happy, pleased |
| cruel | unfeeling | wicked or hurtful |
| different | unlike others (différent) | unlike others |
| faux | wrong, false | not real, or an imitation |
| genteel | well-born (gentil) | polite, respectable |
| grave | serious, solemn | serious, solemn |
| intelligent | clever | very smart |
| long | lengthy | lengthy |
| orange | a citrus fruit/orange color | a citrus fruit/orange color |
| patient | to suffer (present participle of patior) | waiting calmly |
| petite | small, little | small and delicate |
| possible | capable of being done | capable of being done |
| simple | plain, uncomplicated, naive | plain, uncomplicated, naive |
| stupid | silly, mindless (stupide) | not smart |
English Place Names With French Origins
Many of the places you visit or talk about on a daily basis are named for French words. See how many of these French words used in English you know, or have visited in your town!
| Word | French Meaning | English Meaning |
| abbey | building where nuns or monks live (abbaye) | building where nuns or monks live |
| arcade | covered passage with shops | place to play video games |
| boutique | small shop | small clothing shop |
| café | coffee, coffee house | coffee house, restaurant |
| cinema | movie theater (from cinématographe, a device for projecting moving photographs) | movie theater |
| diner | midday meal (dîner) | small restaurant with a counter |
| garage | shelter (from garer) | covered parking for cars |
| pavilion | an outdoor wing of a building or tent | large tent or part of a building that is open to the outside. |
| terrace | platform made from earth (terrasse) | raised patio or balcony |
French Food Words Used in English
No one dines like the French! The next time you order food at a restaurant, check out the menu for these common French eating terms.
| Word | French Meaning | English Meaning |
| à la carte | by the card | ordering separate items on a menu |
| à la mode | in the fashion | ice cream on top of a dessert |
| amuse-bouche | mouth amuser | a small dish to open a meal |
| apéritif | opening the appetite | a pre-dinner drink |
| baguette | baton or stick | a long loaf of bread |
| bon appetit | good appetite | enjoy your meal |
| chef | head | a professional cook |
| éclair | flash of light | a chocolate, cream-filled pastry |
| hors d'oeuvre | outside the works | an appetizer before a meal |
| menu | detailed list | a list of dishes served |
| omelet | flat egg dish (from amelette) | a flat egg dish |
| picnic | a social gathering where everyone brings food (from pique-nique) | an outdoor meal in nature |
| sauté | jumped (past participle of sauter) | pan-fried with oil |
French Words Used in English for Fashion
Many high fashion words, such as chic or couture, also have French origins. Try out these French words that describe the fashion world.
| Word | French Meaning | English Meaning |
| avant-garde | very fashionable (originally "advanced guard" to describe the soldier who goes first in battle) | a new and innovative style |
| blouse | a loose-fitting top | a loose-fitting top |
| bonnet | a tight-fitting hat | an old-fashioned hat for women |
| bracelet | a piece of jewelry worn around the wrist | a piece of jewelry worn around the wrist |
| chapeau | hat | a fashionable hat |
| chic | artistic skill | very stylish and fashionable |
| costume | customary clothes or fashion | an outift meant to look like something else |
| couture | dressmaking | high fashion |
| eau de toilette | toilet water | scented water, perfume |
| gauche | left | tacky or socially unacceptable |
| lingerie | made of linen | female underwear |
| original | unique, one of a kind | unique, one of a kind |
| pajamas | sleeping clothes (pyjama) | sleeping clothes |
| panache | the plume on a hat | flourish, flair |
| perfume | pleasant-smelling smoke (parfum) | scented water, cologne |
| robe | a dress | loose-fitting outer garment |
| uniform | an official outfit | an official outfit |
French Phrases Used in English
You might say these phrases with an English pronunciation, but they’re still French! See how many French sayings used in English you use every day.
| Phrase | French Meaning | English Meaning |
| apropos | with regard to | opportune, pertinent, with regard to |
| au contraire | on the contrary | on the contrary |
| bon voyage | good journey | have a good trip |
| carte blanche | white card | having full authority to do what you want |
| coup d'etat | a stroke of state | seizure of power |
| déjà vu | already seen | a feeling you've experienced something before |
| du jour | of the day | something trendy or only available today |
| en garde | on guard | be on your guard |
| excusez-moi | excuse me | excuse me |
| faux pas | a false step | a social blunder |
| je ne sais quoi | I don't know what | a quality that’s hard to describe |
| joie de vivre | joy of living | joy of living |
| laissez-faire | allow to do | a belief that people can do what they want without interference |
| nom de plume | pen name | an alias for a writer to go by |
| RSVP (répondez s'il vous plaît) | respond if you please | please reply to an invitation |
| touché | touched | good point |
| voilà | to view (imperative of voir) | there it is |
The French Influence
With France's romantic language, wonderful architecture, delicious food, and overall ambiance, it’s no wonder French words appear so often in English. Learn more French words starting with the months and days in French. Continue your virtual journey to France by learning a few fun facts about France. Then, learn to speak like a local with some fun French idioms and many uniquely beautiful French words.