French word

boîte

Pronunciation

IPA/bwat/

Meaning

  • feminine nounbox

Example

Mets le livre dans la boîte.

Put the book in the box.

Illustration for boîte (box)

More examples

Il travaille dans une boîte de design.

He works at a design company.

Core concept

A bounded hollow space, commonly closed at the top, that holds things for keeping or transport.

Common phrases

  • mettre dans la boîte

    put in the box

  • ouvrir la boîte

    open the box

  • boîte aux lettres

    mailbox

  • boîte en carton

    cardboard box

Similar words

carton: A light cardboard box used for shipping, storage, or moving.
colis: A package or box prepared for delivery or mailing.
paquet: A small package or gift wrapped in paper or tied with string.
emballage: Wrapping or packaging used to protect or present a product.

Definition in French

Récipient généralement fermé, de taille variable, destiné à contenir, protéger ou transporter des objets.

Word origin

The French noun boîte is inherited through Old French boiste from Latin buxida, a boxwood container related to buxus.

Usage tips

  • The expressions sa boîte and aller en boîte can refer to a company and a nightclub respectively, so surrounding words determine the sense.

Other meanings

  • companynoun
  • cannoun
  • nightclubnoun

Word lists with this word