French word

appuyer

Pronunciation

IPA/apɥije/

Meaning

  • verbpress

Example

Peux-tu appuyer sur le bouton rouge ?

Can you press the red button?

Illustration for appuyer (press)

More examples

J'appuie sa candidature.

I support his candidacy.

Core concept

Force focused through a finger, hand, or tool onto a point, causing movement or giving support to something or someone.

Common phrases

  • appuyer sur le bouton

    press the button

  • appuyer quelqu'un

    support someone

Similar words

pousser: Force an object to move forward or outward.
presser: Apply pressure by pressing a button or object.
cliquer: Lightly press a mouse button or control once to send a signal.
enfoncer: Drive something deep inside by pressing it forcefully.

Definition in French

Presser quelque chose avec le doigt, la main ou un outil pour provoquer un mouvement ou une action ; traduire aussi le fait de soutenir quelqu'un ou d'insister sur une idée.

Word origin

French appuyer comes from Old French apuier, related to appui, and developed from physical support toward pressing, backing, and emphasizing.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive form s'appuyer sur means to lean on or rely on something, so the reflexive construction changes the verb's meaning.

Other meanings

  • supportverb
  • emphasizeverb
  • leanverb

Opposites

Related words

  • appuisupportnoun
  • appuyéemphasizedadjective

Word lists with this word