French word

élever

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛləve/

Meaning

  • verbraise

Example

J'élève mon fils depuis dix ans.

I have been raising my son for ten years.

Illustration for élever (raise)

More examples

Il a élevé la voix pendant la réunion.

He raised his voice during the meeting.

Core concept

A caregiver steadily brings a child or animal from dependence to maturity through food, care, and protection.

Common phrases

  • élever la voix

    raise one's voice

  • élever un enfant

    rear a child

Similar words

éduquer: Teaching children knowledge and manners so they can function in society.
nourrir: Providing food to sustain life and support growth.
soigner: Treating illness or injury to help someone recover.
garder: Looking after children or animals and keeping them safe.

Definition in French

Faire grandir quelqu'un en lui donnant nourriture, soins et protection, souvent sur la durée.

Word origin

Élever comes from Latin elevare, through Old French eslever, with the basic idea of lifting that developed into raising or bringing up.

Usage tips

  • Élever takes a direct object in this sense, as in élever un enfant, while s'élever is an intransitive form with a different structure.

Other meanings

  • rearverb
  • liftverb

Opposites

Related words

  • élévationelevationnoun
  • élevérearedadjective

Word lists with this word