French word

adversité

Pronunciation

IPA/advɛʁsite/

Meaning

  • feminine nounadversity

Example

Il a surmonté l'adversité.

He overcame adversity.

Illustration for adversité (adversity)

More examples

Après l'accident, il a dû faire face à l'adversité.

After the accident, he had to face adversity.

Core concept

A difficult stretch in which repeated obstacles press against a person's or group's efforts.

Common phrases

  • surmonter l'adversité

    overcome adversity

  • faire face à l'adversité

    face adversity

Similar words

difficulté: A challenge that makes progress difficult and must be overcome.
problème: A specific trouble requiring attention or a solution.

Definition in French

Situation durablement défavorable ou ensemble d'obstacles qui met à l'épreuve la capacité d'une personne ou d'un groupe.

Word origin

Latin adversitas, the source of French adversité, was formed from adversus, meaning turned against or opposed, with the noun ending -itas.

Usage tips

  • In faire face à l'adversité, the preposition is à, while surmonter l'adversité takes the noun as a direct object.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word