French Conversation · Level 135
30 words
French word
abîme
Pronunciation
IPA/abim/
Meaning
- masculine nounabyss
Example
Il regarde l'abîme sans pouvoir détourner les yeux.
He stares into the abyss, unable to look away.
More examples
Il a failli tomber dans l'abîme en descendant le sentier.
He nearly fell into the abyss while walking down the path.
Core concept
A deep chasm whose vertical sides make crossing from one side or level to the other seem impossible.
Common phrases
tomber dans l'abîme
fall into the abyss
regarder l'abîme
look into the abyss
Similar words
gouffre: A very deep, narrow hole or ravine whose bottom is often invisible.
précipice: The edge of a steep drop where a fall would be dangerous.
gorge: A deep, narrow valley carved by a river, often with steep sides.
Definition in French
Gorge ou fossé très profond, réel ou figuré, évoquant une coupure nette entre deux niveaux
Word origin
The modern circumflex in abîme reflects the word's historical development from Old French abisme, borrowed through Latin from Greek abyssos.
Usage tips
- Abîme and abîmer are different words: abîme is a noun, while abîmer means to damage or ruin.