French Conversation · Level 144
30 words
French word
accaparer
Pronunciation
IPA/akapaʁe/
Meaning
- verbmonopolize
Example
Il accapare toujours la parole pendant les réunions.
He always monopolizes the conversation during meetings.
More examples
La publicité accapare souvent l'attention des consommateurs.
Advertising often monopolizes consumers' attention.
Core concept
One person takes the whole supply, space, or turn, leaving no way in for anyone else.
Common phrases
accaparer la parole
monopolize the floor
accaparer l'attention
monopolize attention
Similar words
monopoliser: To control an area or activity alone or with a small group, excluding others.
se réserver: To keep a speaking opportunity or other chance for personal use, denying it to others.
Definition in French
S'approprier entièrement quelque chose de façon à empêcher les autres d'y avoir accès.
Word origin
French accaparer was borrowed from Italian accaparrare, a verb built on caparra, meaning earnest money or a deposit.
Usage tips
- Accaparer takes a direct object without a preposition, as in accaparer la parole; the pronominal form is s'accaparer quelque chose, also without de.
Other meanings
- appropriateverb
Opposites
- partagershareverb
Related words
- accapareurmonopolizernoun
- accaparementmonopolizationnoun
- accaparémonopolizedadjective