Loanwords and diminutives: French words and phrases found in the English langauge

In English, we have taken words from other languages and call these words “loanwords“. Loanwords are words adopted from one language into another with little or no modification in form or meaning. They often fill lexical gaps, introduce new concepts, or reflect cultural exchange, such as “sushi”. Smaller words that aren’t exact are called diminutives.

Many French words and phrases have been adopted into English, often retaining their original meanings or adapting slightly. These loanwords span various domains like food, fashion, art, law, and everyday expressions.

Food and cuisine

• À la carte – Ordering individual dishes from a menu, not as a set meal.
• Apéritif – A pre-meal alcoholic drink to stimulate the appetite.
• Baguette – A long, thin loaf of French bread.
• Bon appétit – Enjoy your meal.
• Café – Coffee or a small coffee shop.
• Chardonnay – A type of white wine grape or wine.
• Crème brûlée – A dessert with a custard base and caramelized sugar top.
• Croissant – A buttery, flaky pastry.
• Cuisine – Cooking style or kitchen.
• Escargot – Snails prepared as food.
• Fillet – A boneless cut of meat or fish (e.g., filet mignon).
• Foie gras – A delicacy made from duck or goose liver.
• Omelette – A dish of beaten eggs cooked and often folded with fillings.
• Pâté – A spreadable paste made from liver or meat.
• Quiche – A savory tart with a custard filling.
• Sauté – To cook quickly in a small amount of fat.
• Soufflé – A light, airy dish made with egg yolks and whipped egg whites.
• Vinaigrette – A dressing made of vinegar, oil, and seasonings.

Fashion and style

• Chic – Stylish or elegant.
• Couture – High-fashion clothing design.
• Décolletage – A low neckline on a dress or top.
• Faux – Artificial or imitation (e.g., faux fur).
• Haute – High-class or high-fashion (e.g., haute couture).
• Lingerie – Women’s undergarments or sleepwear.
• Prêt-à-porter – Ready-to-wear clothing, not custom-made.
• Silhouette – The outline or shape of a garment or figure.

Arts and culture

• Avant-garde – Innovative or experimental, especially in art or music.
• Ballet – A classical dance form.
• Cliché – An overused expression or idea.
• Critique – A detailed evaluation, often of art or literature.
• Début – A first public appearance or performance.
• Encore – A call for an additional performance.
• Genre – A category of artistic work, like music or literature.
• Motif – A recurring theme or design.
• Renaissance – A revival, often referring to the historical cultural movement.
• Vignette – A short, descriptive scene or sketch.

Law and government

• Coup d’état – A sudden overthrow of a government. Often just said as “coup”.
• Détente – A relaxation of tensions, especially in diplomacy.
• En route – On the way.
• Faux pas – A social blunder or mistake.
• Force majeure – An unavoidable event affecting legal obligations.
• Parole – Early release of a prisoner under supervision.
• Vis-à-vis – In relation to or face-to-face.

Everyday expressions

• Adieu – Farewell, often more final than goodbye.
• Bonjour – Hello or good morning.
• C’est la vie – That’s life; expressing acceptance of circumstances.
• Déjà vu – The feeling of having experienced something before.
• Fait accompli – A done deal, something already completed.
• Joie de vivre – Joy of living, enthusiasm for life.
• Raison d’être – Reason for being or purpose.
• Rendezvous – A meeting or appointment.
• RSVP (Répondez s’il vous plaît) – Please respond, used on invitations. Many people do not remember what the letters stand for.
• Tête-à-tête – A private conversation between two people.

Architecture and design

• Château – A large French country house or castle.
• Façade – The front of a building or a deceptive appearance.
• Fleur-de-lis – A stylized lily symbol, often in design or heraldry.

Military and strategy

• Camouflage – Concealment through disguise, often in military contexts.
• Espionage – Spying or intelligence gathering.
• Sabotage – Deliberate destruction or disruption.

Miscellaneous

• Bourgeois – Middle-class or materialistic.
• Brunette – A woman with dark brown hair.
• Bureau – A desk or office.
• Carte blanche – Complete freedom to act as one wishes.
• Chauffeur – A personal driver.
• Connoisseur – An expert, often in fine arts or taste.
• Entrepreneur – A person who starts or manages a business.
• Fiancé/fiancée – A man/woman engaged to be married.
• Gauche – Lacking social grace or tact.
• Milieu – Social environment or setting.
• Nouveau – New or modern (e.g., nouveau riche).
• Panache – Flamboyant style or confidence.
• Protégé – A person guided or supported by a mentor.
• Saboteur – One who commits sabotage.
• Souvenir – A memento or keepsake.

Important notes on these words

• Pronunciation: Many of these words retain French-influenced pronunciation in English (e.g., “croissant” as “kwa-son” or “cliché” as “klee-shay”), though some have been anglicized.
• Spelling variations: Words like “fillet” (vs. filet) or “omelette” (vs. omelet) may have English variants but are derived from French. Often, accent marks and other special characters are left out in writing because English keyboards don’t usually include them.
• Context: Some words, like “chic” or “faux,” are fully integrated into English and used casually, while others, like “force majeure,” are more formal or domain-specific.
• Usage: While some words are commonly used in English, words such as milieu, nouveau, and panache are not common. Words highlighted in blue are less commonly used by the general English-speaking audience. You may have to be prepared to explain or use synonyms for any number of the words.