French word

bouter

Pronunciation

IPA/bute/

Meaning

  • verbdrive out

Example

Les voisins ont bouté les vendeurs du quartier.

The neighbors drove the vendors out of the neighborhood.

Illustration for bouter (drive out)

More examples

Le propriétaire a bouté le squatteur du local.

The owner drove the squatter out of the premises.

Core concept

A forceful shove carries a person or thing across a boundary and out of a place.

Common phrases

  • bouter quelqu'un de la boutique

    drive someone out of the shop

  • bouter quelqu'un du café

    drive someone out of the cafe

Similar words

mettre dehors: Put someone or something outside or make them leave.
chasser: Drive someone or something out of a place.
renvoyer: Send someone away so they leave the place.
expulser: Officially remove someone from a building, organization, or country.

Definition in French

Pousser, chasser ou contraindre quelqu'un ou quelque chose à sortir d'un endroit, souvent suivi d'une préposition comme hors de ou dehors.

Word origin

Bouter comes from Old French boter or bouter, an old verb meaning to push or drive, whose spelling and core sense have endured in limited modern usage.

Usage tips

  • Bouter is uncommon in ordinary conversation, where chasser or mettre dehors is usually more natural.

Other meanings

  • drive awayverb
  • push outverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word