French Conversation · Level 137
30 words
French word
abord
Pronunciation
IPA/abɔʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounfirst glance
Example
Au premier abord, il semblait timide.
At first glance, he seemed shy.
More examples
De prime abord, ce projet m'inquiète.
At first glance, this project worries me.
Core concept
The first view of something, before its deeper features become clear.
Common phrases
au premier abord
at first glance
de prime abord
at first glance
Similar words
impression: The initial impression or feeling formed on seeing something.
apparence: The visible outward appearance of something.
Definition in French
Sens courant : appréciation ou apparence superficielle perçue d'emblée, sans examen approfondi.
Word origin
French abord derives from Old French à bord, where bord meant an edge or side; the word extended from nearness or approach to an immediate impression.
Usage tips
- Au premier abord often introduces an initial judgment that later evidence qualifies, so it commonly contrasts with a deeper assessment.