French word

éblouir

Pronunciation

IPA/ebluiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbdazzle

Example

Le soleil éblouit les conducteurs.

The sun dazzles drivers.

Illustration for éblouir (dazzle)

More examples

Son discours a ébloui l'auditoire.

His speech dazzled the audience.

Core concept

Eyes lose their view in intense brightness, while a person or spectacle can similarly overwhelm someone with fascination.

Common phrases

  • éblouir quelqu'un

    dazzle someone

  • éblouir le public

    dazzle the audience

Similar words

impressionner: To leave a strong impression on someone.
surprendre: To surprise someone with something unexpected.
émerveiller: To fill someone with wonder and delight.
aveugler: To make someone nearly unable to see through intense light.

Definition in French

Causer à quelqu'un une incapacité visuelle passagère par une lumière trop vive ; au sens figuré, fasciner ou submerger quelqu'un.

Word origin

The modern verb éblouir developed from Old French esblouir, whose prefix es- combines with the older verb blouir.

Usage tips

  • The figurative passive être ébloui par commonly introduces the impressive person or thing, as in Elle est éblouie par son talent.

Other meanings

  • captivateverb
  • impressverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word