French word

éloigner

Pronunciation

IPA/elwaɲe/

Meaning

  • verbkeep ___ away

Example

Il faut éloigner les enfants du feu.

It is necessary to keep the children away from the fire.

Illustration for éloigner (keep ___ away)

More examples

Le vent éloigne la fumée des tentes.

The wind moves the smoke away from the tents.

Core concept

A person or object is moved farther from a fixed point, creating separation.

Common phrases

  • éloigner les enfants de la table

    move the children away from the table

  • éloigner la menace

    ward off the threat

  • éloigner quelqu'un

    drive someone away

Similar words

s'éloigner: Moving oneself farther away from a person or reference point.
repousser: Using a hand or body to push a person or object away.
chasser: Chasing an unpleasant person or animal away from a place.

Definition in French

Mettre quelque chose ou quelqu'un à une plus grande distance par rapport à soi ou à un point de référence; verbe transitif.

Word origin

Éloigner developed from Old French esloignier, formed with es- and loign, from loing meaning far, ultimately related to Latin longus.

Usage tips

  • Éloigner is transitive, while s'éloigner means that the subject moves away; the usual complement uses de, as in éloigner les enfants du feu.

Other meanings

  • separateverb
  • drive awayverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word