| Formes composées |
| Anglais | Français |
| A word of advice interj | (I warn or recommend the following) | un conseil nm |
| Just a word of advice -- don't plant peas in Wisconsin in March, whatever the books may say! |
| Juste un conseil : ne plantez pas de pois dans le Wisconsin en mars, même si les livres le disent. |
| a word to the wise n | colloquial (giving warning, advice) (un peu familier) | un bon conseil, un conseil nm |
| A word to the wise: do not visit this neighborhood alone after dark. |
| Un bon conseil : ne te balade pas dans ce quartier seul le soir. |
| à bon entendeur, salut ! interj |
| as good as your word expr | (trustworthy) | digne de confiance loc adj |
| bad word n | (something negative) (dire) | du mal nm |
| That lady is so kind; I've never heard her say a bad word about anyone. |
| Cette dame est tellement gentille : je ne l'ai jamais entendu dire du mal de qui que ce soit. |
| bad word n | (swearword) | gros mot, juron nm |
buzzword,
buzz word n | (trendy term) | mot à la mode nm |
| mot tendance nm |
| The paper's headlines are full of buzzwords but contain almost no real content at all. |
| by word of mouth adv | (from what others say) | par le bouche-à-oreille loc adv |
| The film was not heavily advertised, but its popularity quickly grew by word of mouth. |
code word,
codeword n | (word: to break a code) | mot code nm |
code word,
codeword n | (password) | mot de passe, code secret nm |
| Ali Baba used the code word "open sesame" to open the door to a cave filled with untold riches. |
code word,
codeword n | figurative (disguised reference) | nom de code nm |
| A code word like "code red" is used in hospitals to alert the staff of a fire without causing alarm to the patients. |
| compound word n | (made up of two words) | mot composé nm |
| 'Handbag' is a compound word formed by joining 'hand' and 'bag'. |
| content word | (linguistics) | mot lexical nm |
curse word,
cuss word (US),
swear word (UK) n | (obscene language) | gros mot, juron nm |
| People will think you are ignorant and ill mannered if you use curse words extensively. Swear words are the first thing you want to learn in another language - and the last thing you should use. |
| On va penser que tu es bête et mal élevé si tu n'arrêtes pas d'utiliser des gros mots. Les gros mots (or: Les jurons) sont la première chose que l'on veut apprendre dans une autre langue... et la dernière chose qu'il faudrait utiliser. |
| dirty word n | slang, figurative ([sth] unmentionable) (figuré) | gros mot, mot tabou nm |
| For me "work" is a dirty word. |
dyslexia,
alexia,
word blindness n | (difficulty learning to read) | dyslexie nf |
| dyslexique adj |
| Eva dislikes reading novels because she has dyslexia. |
| Eva déteste lire des romans parce qu'elle a une dyslexie. |
| Eva déteste lire des romans parce qu'elle est dyslexique. |
f-word,
the f-word n | (euphemism for fuck) | gros mot nm |
| four-letter word n | (curse word, bad word) | gros mot nm |
from the word 'go',
from the word go expr | figurative, informal (from the very first moment) | dès le départ loc adv |
| His company was doomed from the word 'go'. |
| Sa société était vouée à l'échec dès le départ. |
function word,
form word n | (linguistics: non-content word) | mot-outil, mot fonctionnel nm |
| general word n | often plural (abstract term) | terme général nm |
| get a word in v expr | informal (have the chance to speak) (familier) | en placer une loc v |
| She was talking so much that I couldn't get a word in! |
| Elle monopolisait la conversation, je ne pouvais pas en placer une ! |
get a word in edgewise (US),
get a word in edgeways (UK) v expr | informal (have the chance to speak) (souvent à la négative) | en placer une loc v |
| Note: Commonly used in the negative. |
| get the word out expr | (spread news of [sth]) | faire parler de [qch] loc v |
| faire passer le message, diffuser le message loc v |
| The animal rights group is getting the word out about spaying and neutering pets. |
| give your word v expr | (promise) | donner sa parole loc v |
| He'll be here! He gave his word! |
| Il sera là ! Il a donné sa parole ! |
| give your word that v expr | (promise) | donner sa parole que loc v + conj |
| Rachel had given her word that she would lend me the money. |
| Rachel m'a donné sa parole qu'elle me prêterait l'argent. |
| go back on your word v expr | (not keep a promise) | revenir sur sa parole loc v |
| ne pas tenir une promesse loc v |
| Janice went back on her word to help me with the cooking. |
| guide word n | (term at top of a dictionary page) | mot repère nm |
| have a word v expr | informal (discuss: a problem) | dire un mot loc v |
| parler⇒ vtr ind |
| Your daughter's been skipping school again. Can you have a word? |
| have a word with [sb] v expr | informal (discuss) | avoir deux mots avec loc v |
| (plus soutenu) | s'entretenir avec v pron + prép |
| The boss had a word with Bill about his chronic tardiness. |
| Le patron a eu deux mots avec Bill sur ses retards répétés. |
| have the last word v expr | (make the final remark) | avoir le dernier mot loc v |
| Amy and Jake can argue with each other for hours because each of them insists on having the last word. |
| Amy et Jake peuvent se disputer pendant des heures parce qu'ils veulent tous les deux avoir le dernier mot. |
| have the last word v expr | figurative (triumph, win out) | avoir le dernier mot v |
| Although the students presented compelling reasons for moving the exam from Friday to Monday, the teacher had the last word, reminding them that to do so would cause the class to fall behind schedule. |
household word (US),
household name (UK) n | ([sth] or [sb] famous) | très connu, très connu de tous, très connu partout loc adj |
| All of these famous actresses are household names. The footballer David Beckham is now a household name. |
| Toutes ses actrices célèbres sont très connues de tous. Le footballeur David Beckham est maintenant très connu de tous. |
| in a word adv | (succinctly) | en un mot, en bref loc adv |
| "How was your day?" "In a word, awful!" |
| - Comment était ta journée ? - En un mot, horrible ! |
| in one word adv | (in summary) | en un mot loc adv |
| How was the movie? In one word, awful. |
| Comment était le film ? En un mot : nul. |
| in word and deed adv | (in what [sb] says and does) | en paroles et en actes adv |
| The Greek Prime Minister stressed that his country supports Lebanon in word and deed. |
| keep your word v expr | (fulfil a promise) | tenir parole loc v |
| He never keeps his word; he always tells my secrets. |
| A good friend is one who keeps his word. |
| Il ne tient jamais parole. Il raconte toujours mes secrets. // Un bon ami, c'est celui qui sait tenir parole. |
| keyword n | (search term) | mot-clé, mot-clef nm |
| The index can be searched by subject or by keyword. |
| On effectue une recherche dans l'index par sujet ou par mot-clé (or: mot-clef). |
| keyword n | (word: deciphers a code) | mot-clé, mot-clef nm |
| The spy's mother was the only other person that knew the keyword to decipher the notebook. |
| key word n | (important term) | mot-clé, mot-clef nm |
| The key word here is 'estimated'. |
| Ici, "estimé" reste le mot-clé (or: mot-clef). |
| kind word n | (friendly remark) | mot gentil nm |
| Mr. Brady has a great disposition and always has a kind word for everyone. |
| kind words npl | (compliment, encouragement, etc.) | mots gentils nmpl |
| aimables paroles nfpl |
| Your kind words were such a comfort to me after the loss of my grandmother. |
| last word n | (closing remark) | dernier mot nm |
| last word n | figurative (final work or statement) | dernier mot nm |
| last word n | figurative (most modern version) | dernier cri nm |
loanword,
loan word n | (term taken from another language) | emprunt nm |
| "Macho" is a loanword from Spanish used in English. |
| man of his word n | (male: keeps promises) | homme de parole nm |
| I've worked with him, and I know him to be a man of his word. |
| J'ai travaillé avec lui et je sais que c'est un homme de parole. |
| Mum's the word. interj | slang (It's a secret.) | motus et bouche cousue expr |
| garde ça pour toi expr |
| Don't tell anybody about this; mum's the word. |
| Ne répète ça à personne : motus et bouche cousue. |
| my word n | (my solemn promise) | ma parole nf |
| This car is in 100% perfect condition, I give you my word. |
| Cette voiture est en parfait état : je vous en donne ma parole. |
| my word interj | dated (expressing astonishment) (soutenu, un peu vieilli) | ma parole interj |
| My word, that candy certainly is sour! My word, that is one beautiful woman. |
| Ma parole, ce bonbon est aigre ! // Ma parole, quelle belle femme ! |
nonce word,
nonce-word n | (term coined for one occasion) | mot créé pour l'occasion nm |
| not say a word v expr | (remain silent) | ne pas dire un mot loc v |
| Be quiet and don't say a word, or they will discover where we are hiding. |
| Ne fais pas de bruit, et ne dis pas un mot, ou ils découvriront notre cachette. |
| ne rien dire loc v |
| Ne fais pas de bruit, et ne dis rien, ou ils découvriront notre cachette. |
| (familier) | ne pas piper mot loc v |
| Ne fais pas de bruit, et ne pipe pas mot, ou ils découvriront notre cachette. |
| not say a word v expr | (not divulge [sth]) (familier) | motus (et bouche cousue) interj |
| Don't say a word: it's our secret! |
| Motus et bouche cousue ! C'est notre secret. |
| ne pas dire un mot loc v |
| N'en dis pas un mot à qui que ce soit : c'est notre secret ! |
| pas un mot interj |
| Pas un mot à quiconque : c'est notre secret ! |
| the odd word n | informal (occasional verbal exchange) | deux ou trois mots |
| quelques mots |
| I've had the odd word with him over the years, but I never really knew him well. |
| On s'est bien échangé deux ou trois mots au cours de ces dernières années, mais je ne le connais pas plus que ça. |
| on my word expr | (I promise) | je te le promets interj |
| (En fin de phrase) | parole d'honneur interj |
| On my word, I will be there on time. |
| the operative word n | (word: significant) | le maître mot, le mot important nm |
| The operative word is "caution.'' |
portmanteau word,
portmanteau n | (compound word) | mot-valise nm |
| put in a good word for [sth/sb] vtr | informal (say [sth] in support of) (dispute) | plaider en faveur de [qqn] loc v + prép |
| (travail) | recommander⇒ vtr |
| Dad's angry at my big sister; Grandpa's going to put in a good word for her. |
| You're applying for a job at that firm? I know the boss; I'll put in a good word for you. |
| Papa est fâché contre ma grande sœur ; Papi va plaider en sa faveur. |
| Tu postules dans cette firme ? Je connais le patron ; je te recommanderai. |
| render [sth] word for word v expr | (recreate [sth] verbatim) | rendre mot pour mot loc v |
| root word n | (basic word form without prefix or suffix) | racine d'un mot, racine du mot nf |
| say the word v expr | informal (give permission) | dire [qch] à [qqn] loc v |
| say the word v expr | informal (give instructions) | dire [qch] à [qqn] loc v |
| n'avoir qu'un mot à dire loc v |
| say the word v expr | informal (ask for help) | demander de l'aide loc v |
| send word v expr | (convey a message) | faire passer le mot loc v |
| N'hésitez pas à faire passer le mot autour de vous. |
| faire savoir⇒ vtr |
| signal word n | (grammar: conjunction) | conjonction de coordination nf |
| spread the word v expr | (make others aware) | faire passer le mot loc v |
| répandre la nouvelle loc v |
| Marty told his classmates that he was organizing a massive party and asked them to spread the word. |
swearword,
swear word n | (curse word, obscene term) | gros mot nm |
| juron nm |
| (Can) | sacre nm |
| Please don't use swearwords around me; it's offensive. |
take [sb] at their word,
take [sb] at his word,
take [sb] at her word v expr | (believe [sb] is speaking honestly) | croire [qqn] sur parole loc v |
| take [sb]'s word v expr | (believe what [sb] says) | croire [qqn] sur parole loc v |
| Don't just take my word - look it up for yourself. |
take [sb]'s word for it,
take [sb]'s word for that v expr | (believe what [sb] says) | croire [qqn] sur parole loc v |
the c-word,
the c word,
the C-word,
the C word n | euphemism (see note) | insulte en c nf |
| Note: Many people consider this word, when spelled out in full as "cunt," to be one of the most offensive words in the English language. |
| Note: En anglais, expression utilisée plutôt que d'utiliser l'insulte très vulgaire « cunt ». |
| the last word n | (final retort) | le dernier mot nm |
| My brother has to have the last word in every argument. |
| Mon frère veut toujours avoir le dernier mot. |
| the last word in [sth] n | figurative (ultimate, most fashionable) | le summum de [qch], le fin du fin de [qch], le nec plus ultra de [qch] nm |
| ce qui se fait de mieux en (matière de) [qch] |
| You can always find the last word in haute couture in Paris. |
| On trouve toujours le nec plus ultra de la haute couture à Paris. |
the n-word,
the n word,
the N-word,
the N word n | euphemism (see note) (populaire, injurieux, raciste !) | nègre, négro nm |
| Note: Many people consider this word, when spelled out in full as "nigger," to be the most offensive word in the English language and never say or speak it. |
| Note: Terme tellement insultant en anglais qu'il est souvent écrit sous cette forme et que sa forme entière (« nigger ») n'est pas dite. |
| without a word adv | (silently, saying nothing) | sans un mot loc adv |
| sans rien dire adv |
| en silence adv |
| Sortez en rang et en silence ! |
| word association n | (psychology: first word coming to mind) | association de mots nf |
| (Psychanalyse) | association libre nf |
| word class | (linguistics) | catégorie grammaticale nf |
| word count n | (number of words in a text) | nombre de mots nm |
| Write the word count at the end of your essay. |
| Indiquez le nombre de mots en bas de votre rédaction. |
| word for word adv | (verbatim, using the exact wording) | à la lettre adv |
| The cheater copied his neighbor's answer word for word. |
| mot pour mot |
| Le tricheur avait recopié la copie de son voisin mot pour mot. |
| word form n | (word: grammatical inflection) | forme d'un mot nf |
| word game | (game) | jeu de lettres nm |
| word of advice n | (caution or recommendation) | conseil nm |
| My word of advice is get to know someone before asking her to marry you. |
| Graduation speakers usually give the graduates some words of advice about the future. |
| conseil d'ami(e) nm |
| word of explanation n | (comment or note explaining [sth]) | explication nf |
| The teacher gave us a few words of explanation about the book. |
| Le professeur nous a donné quelques explications sur le livre. |
| word of honor | (pledge) | parole d'honneur nf |
| word of mouth n | (personal recommendation) | bouche à oreille nm |
| He hoped that word of mouth would attract customers to his landscape business. |
| Il espérait que le bouche à oreille attirerait des clients dans son entreprise de paysagisme. |
word on the street,
the word on the street expr | (widespread rumor) | on dit que expr |
| word order n | (grammar: arrangement of words) | ordre des mots nm |
| Word order in English is more important than in some other languages. |
| word painting n | (poetic verbal description) | description poétique nf |
| word picture | (description in words) | description saisissante nf |
| word processing n | (electronic typewriting) | traitement de texte nm |
| I only ever use my computer for word processing. |
| ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. Aujourd'hui, les collégiens sont initiés au traitement de texte dès la 6ème. |
| word processor n | (computer text editor) (Informatique) | traitement de texte nm |
| Word processors have been largely superseded by computers. |
