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Why Are There So Many French Words in English?
Even though English is a Germanic language, it has borrowed thousands of words from French over the centuries. The story begins in 1066, when William the Conqueror invaded England. After the conquest, French became the language of the ruling class, the courts, and the legal system for over 300 years.
French words deeply influenced English, especially in areas such as art, cuisine, fashion, government, and everyday conversation. Many of these words are used daily even if you do not realize their French origins.
Learning these words can give you a head start in French vocabulary, help you understand cultural references, and make learning the language feel more familiar.
French Words in English: 40+ Examples by Category
Food and Dining
| French Word | Pronunciation | Meaning in English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Déjà vu | day-zhah voo | Already seen, a feeling of familiarity | I had a strange sense of déjà vu entering the café. |
| Hors d’oeuvre | or dohrv | Appetizer | The wedding reception started with elegant hors d’oeuvres. |
| Souvenir | soo-vuh-neer | Keepsake | I bought a souvenir from my trip to Paris. |
| Baguette | bag-et | French long loaf of bread | The bakery sells fresh baguettes every morning. |
| Sauté | soh-tay | Quick cooking in a small amount of oil | Sauté the vegetables until tender. |
| Crème brûlée | krem broo-lay | Caramelized custard dessert | I ordered crème brûlée for dessert. |
Arts and Entertainment
| French Word | Pronunciation | Meaning in English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avant-garde | ah-vahn gard | Innovative or ahead of its time | The film was praised for its avant-garde style. |
| Ballet | bah-lay | Classical dance form | She has been training in ballet since age five. |
| Genre | zhahn-ruh | Category of art or media | The film is a horror genre classic. |
| Matinée | mah-tee-nay | Early performance | We attended the Saturday matinée of the play. |
| Décor | day-kor | Interior design or style | The restaurant’s décor was elegant and modern. |
| Cliché | klee-shay | Overused expression or stereotype | “Love conquers all” is a common cliché in movies. |
Everyday Expressions and Etiquette
| French Word | Pronunciation | Meaning in English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faux pas | foh pah | Social mistake | Wearing sneakers to a wedding is a major faux pas. |
| Touché | too-shay | Acknowledgment of a clever point | You got me there. Touché. |
| Début | day-byoo | First appearance | The singer made her Broadway debut last year. |
| R.S.V.P. | air-ess-vee-pee | Please respond | Do not forget to R.S.V.P. to the wedding invitation. |
| Coup d’état | koo day-tah | Sudden overthrow of a government | The news reported a military coup d’état in the region. |
| En route | ahn root | On the way | We are en route to the airport now. |
Business and Social Life
| French Word | Pronunciation | Meaning in English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | on-truh-pruh-nur | Business founder | She is a successful tech entrepreneur. |
| Fiancé / Fiancée | fee-ahn-say / fee-ahn-say | Engaged partner | Her fiancé is moving to Paris for work. |
| Bureau | byoo-roh | Office or department | I work in the marketing bureau downtown. |
| Attaché | ah-tah-shay | Diplomatic official | The cultural attaché attended the event. |
| Diplomat | dee-ploh-mah | International representative | The diplomat negotiated a trade agreement. |
Travel and Geography
| French Word | Pronunciation | Meaning in English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cul-de-sac | kool duh sak | Dead-end street | Our new house is at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. |
| Boutique | boo-teek | Small specialty store | She found a lovely boutique in the city center. |
| Carte blanche | kart blahnsh | Complete freedom | The chef was given carte blanche to design the menu. |
| Rendezvous | rahn-day-voo | Meeting or appointment | Let us schedule a rendezvous at the café. |
Why Learning These Words Helps You Learn French
If you already use words such as déjà vu, ballet, or entrepreneur, you already have a head start on French vocabulary. Recognizing these familiar terms makes learning French easier, builds confidence, and helps you understand French culture faster.
Try practicing pronunciation aloud to remember words better. Group words by category such as food, art, or etiquette for faster retention. Use these words in sentences or conversations to make them stick.
FAQs About French Words in English
Why does English have so many French words?
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, French became the language of the nobility, law, and government, introducing thousands of words into English.
Which French words are most common in English today?
Words related to cuisine, art, etiquette, and business are especially common. Examples include déjà vu, ballet, entrepreneur, and faux pas.
How can I use these words to learn French?
Start by recognizing their meanings and pronunciations in English and then explore their original French usage with a teacher or course.
Continue Your French Learning Journey
Learning French does not have to feel intimidating. Many words are already familiar to English speakers. At LanguageBird, students learn French with live, one-to-one lessons from native-level instructors who personalize lessons to your interests such as food, travel, and everyday vocabulary.
Explore French courses at LanguageBird.
