French Conversation · Level 53
75 words
French word
échelon
Pronunciation
IPA/eʃəlɔ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounrank
Example
Il a gagné un échelon dans son entreprise.
He moved up a rank in his company.
More examples
Elle vise un échelon plus élevé dans sa carrière.
She is aiming for a higher rank in her career.
Core concept
One marked step in a ladder-like structure of ranks, grades, or status.
Common phrases
monter d'un échelon
move up a level
un échelon supérieur
a higher rank
Similar words
niveau: A level within a hierarchy or ordered structure.
grade: An official grade or position assigned at work or in education.
rang: A person's position in a ranking or hierarchy.
promotion: An advancement to a higher position or grade.
Definition in French
Degré ou palier marquant une position dans une hiérarchie, souvent lié au statut, à l'ancienneté ou au grade.
Word origin
The French noun échelon developed from Old French eschelon "rung," related to eschelle "ladder" from Latin scala, then acquired its hierarchical sense.
Usage tips
- In professional and administrative French, échelon often means an official graded step, while niveau has a broader meaning of level.
Other meanings
- stagenoun
- gradenoun
Opposites
- égalitéequalitynoun
- uniformitéuniformitynoun
Related words
- échelonnerstaggerverb
- échelonnementstaggeringnoun
- échelonnéstaggeredadjective