French word

épanouir

Pronunciation

IPA/epanwiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbthrive

Example

Elle s'épanouit au travail.

She thrives at work.

Illustration for épanouir (thrive)

More examples

Les enfants s'épanouissent dans un environnement sûr.

The children thrive in a safe environment.

Core concept

A person or plant opens outward as inner vitality, joy, or confidence becomes visible.

Common phrases

  • s'épanouir dans ses études

    thrive in one's studies

  • s'épanouir grâce à son entourage

    thrive thanks to one's surroundings

  • épanouir la personnalité de quelqu'un

    bring out someone's personality

Similar words

grandir: To grow larger or taller with age.
évoluer: To gradually change in nature or condition over time.
s'ouvrir: To become more open and willing to share feelings with others.
s'améliorer: To gradually become better at a skill or activity.

Definition in French

Signifie qu'une personne ou une plante se développe et manifeste davantage d'énergie, de joie ou d'assurance, souvent employé à la forme pronominale.

Word origin

The French verb épanouir comes through Old French espanouir, where an opening-out sense extended to human flourishing.

Usage tips

  • The pronominal form s'épanouir is much more common for personal development, as in Elle s'épanouit au travail.

Other meanings

  • bloomverb
  • openverb

Opposites

  • étiolerwitherverb

Related words

  • épanouissementdevelopmentnoun
  • épanouiflourishingadjective
  • épanouissantfulfillingadjective

Word lists with this word