French word

allègre

Pronunciation

IPA/alɛgʁ/

Meaning

  • adjectivecheerful

Example

Il est allègre ce matin.

He is cheerful this morning.

Illustration for allègre (cheerful)

More examples

Il a l'air allègre ce matin.

He looks cheerful this morning.

Core concept

A person whose bright mood shows in quick, light movements.

Common phrases

  • avoir l'air allègre

    to look cheerful

  • d'un pas allègre

    with a light step

Similar words

gai: Bright, upbeat, and pleasantly energetic in mood or surroundings.
joyeux: Joyful and calm, with evident inner happiness.
souriant: Smiling in a natural, friendly, and welcoming way.
enjoué: Light-hearted and playful in attitude and responses.

Definition in French

Qui montre une gaieté vive et une certaine vivacité légère dans les gestes ou l'humeur.

Word origin

The French adjective allègre comes from Latin alacer, meaning lively or brisk, through Old French forms such as alegre.

Usage tips

  • Allègre describes people, moods, and movements, whereas allegro is chiefly a musical tempo marking in French.

Other meanings

  • livelyadjective
  • light-footedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • allégrementcheerfullyadverb

Word lists with this word