French word

binocle

Pronunciation

IPA/binɔkl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounglasses

Example

Il porte des binocles pour lire.

He wears glasses to read.

Illustration for binocle (glasses)

More examples

Hier, il a cherché ses binocles partout.

Yesterday, he looked everywhere for his glasses.

Core concept

Two lenses joined in one frame and held before the eyes to sharpen or shield vision.

Common phrases

  • perdre ses binocles

    lose one's glasses

  • chercher ses binocles

    look for one's glasses

  • nettoyer ses binocles

    clean one's glasses

Similar words

lunette: Eyeglasses worn on the face to improve or correct vision.
lentille: A thin circular lens worn directly on the eye for vision correction.

Definition in French

Terme familier ou vieilli désignant un instrument optique composé de deux verres dans une monture et porté devant les yeux pour voir mieux ou se protéger les yeux.

Word origin

French binocle came through Italian binocolo from Latin bi- meaning two and oculus meaning eye.

Usage tips

  • Un binocle is masculine, but modern French usually uses the plural des lunettes for ordinary spectacles.

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