French word

accourir

Pronunciation

IPA/akuʁiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbcome running

Example

Les enfants sont accourus dès qu'ils ont entendu «gâteau».

The children came running as soon as they heard "cake".

Illustration for accourir (come running)

More examples

Les voisins sont accourus au secours dès qu'ils ont entendu les cris.

The neighbors rushed to the rescue as soon as they heard the screams.

Core concept

A person rushing on foot toward the source of a call or an urgent event.

Common phrases

  • accourir au secours

    rush to the rescue

  • accourir vers quelqu'un

    rush over to someone

Similar words

venir: To move to a particular place.
courir: To move quickly on foot by taking rapid steps.
se précipiter: To hurry somewhere in a flustered or urgent manner.

Definition in French

Se précipiter en courant pour aller rejoindre quelqu'un ou un lieu, généralement en réponse à un appel ou à un événement.

Word origin

French accourir inherited Latin accurrere through medieval French; its elements ad- 'toward' and currere 'run' express movement toward something.

Usage tips

  • The compound past uses être, and the past participle agrees with the subject: elles sont accourues.

Other meanings

  • run up to ___verb
  • hurry to ___verb

Opposites

  • s'enfuirfleeverb

Word lists with this word