French word

étrenner

Pronunciation

IPA/etʁene/

Meaning

  • verbuse for the first time

Example

Je vais étrenner ma nouvelle veste ce soir.

I'm going to wear my new jacket for the first time tonight.

Illustration for étrenner (use for the first time)

More examples

Il a étrenné ses nouvelles chaussures au mariage.

He wore his new shoes for the first time at the wedding.

Core concept

A new thing receiving its first outing and thereby becoming an established part of use.

Common phrases

  • étrenner une veste

    wear a jacket for the first time

  • étrenner des chaussures

    wear shoes for the first time

  • étrenner une tenue

    wear an outfit for the first time

Similar words

porter: Wear clothing or accessories.
mettre: Put on clothing, shoes, or something similar.
utiliser: Use a tool or object for a particular purpose.
essayer: Try on clothing or shoes to check the fit or appearance.

Definition in French

Mettre ou utiliser pour la première fois un vêtement, un objet ou un accessoire, souvent en le montrant aux autres.

Word origin

Étrenner inherited its meaning from Old French estrenier, formed from estreine, a first gift derived from Latin strena; the sense shifted toward first use.

Usage tips

  • Étrenner often carries the idea of displaying a new item, so utiliser pour la première fois is more neutral when no inaugural or public aspect matters.

Other meanings

  • premiereverb

Related words

  • étrennénewly put to useadjective

Word lists with this word