French word

apprivoiser

Pronunciation

IPA/apʁivwaze/

Meaning

  • verbtame

Example

Il a apprivoisé le chien.

He tamed the dog.

Illustration for apprivoiser (tame)

More examples

Le dresseur a réussi à apprivoiser un chien difficile.

The trainer managed to tame a difficult dog.

Core concept

Patient contact turns an untamed or reserved being into a willing companion without force.

Common phrases

  • apprivoiser un chien

    tame a dog

  • apprivoiser un animal sauvage

    tame a wild animal

Similar words

dresser: To teach an animal basic commands and train it to obey them.
socialiser: To let an animal mix with people or others so it learns social behavior.
habituer: To make a person or animal accustomed to a situation, easing fear and discomfort.
éduquer: To teach a child or animal good manners and the rules of daily life.

Definition in French

Amener un animal, et parfois une personne, à accepter la présence ou le contact d'autrui en lui inspirant confiance; employé aussi au pronominal s'apprivoiser pour un rapprochement mutuel.

Word origin

The modern verb apprivoiser developed from Old French aprivoisier and has retained its core meaning of gradually making a being accustomed to human presence.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive form s'apprivoiser can describe mutual rapprochement, so Il s'apprivoise peu à peu differs from a person taming an animal.

Other meanings

  • domesticateverb
  • win oververb

Related words

  • apprivoisétamedadjective
  • apprivoisementtamingnoun

Word lists with this word