French word

ascenseur

Pronunciation

IPA/asɑ̃sœʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounelevator

Example

L'ascenseur est en panne.

The elevator is out of order.

Illustration for ascenseur (elevator)

More examples

Elle a pris l'ascenseur au lieu des escaliers.

She took the elevator instead of the stairs.

Core concept

A cabin moving up and down a vertical shaft to connect floors in a building.

Common phrases

  • prendre l'ascenseur

    take the elevator

  • sortir de l'ascenseur

    get out of the elevator

  • bouton de l'ascenseur

    elevator button

Similar words

escalier: A set of steps forming a route for walking up or down between levels.
escalator: A powered staircase with moving steps for carrying people on an incline.
monte-charge: A heavy-duty lift designed to transport freight or other heavy loads.

Definition in French

Machine qui élève et abaisse une cabine le long d'un axe vertical pour relier plusieurs niveaux d'un immeuble.

Word origin

Ascenseur comes from Latin ascensor, an agent noun related to ascendere, "to climb", and later names the lifting device.

Usage tips

  • Ascenseur is masculine, so standard forms include un ascenseur and cet ascenseur.

Other meanings

  • freight elevatornoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word