French word

bouton

Pronunciation

IPA/butɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbutton

Example

Il a cousu le bouton manquant.

He sewed on the missing button.

Illustration for bouton (button)

More examples

Appuie sur le bouton d'alimentation.

Press the power button.

Core concept

A small raised piece that can be attached to something or pressed to produce an effect.

Common phrases

  • bouton d'alimentation

    power button

  • bouton de volume

    volume knob

  • bouton poussoir

    push button

Similar words

bouton-pression: A small press-stud fastener that snaps two pieces of fabric together.
boutonnière: An opening in fabric designed for a button to pass through.
fermeture éclair: A sliding fastener that joins two strips of fabric with interlocking teeth.

Definition in French

Pièce ou élément que l'on presse ou enfonce pour déclencher une action d'un appareil ou d'un dispositif.

Word origin

French bouton comes from Old French boton and is related to boter, meaning 'to push or thrust', with the early sense of a small protuberance.

Usage tips

  • For a device, French uses appuyer sur le bouton, with sur rather than a direct object construction.

Other meanings

  • pimplenoun
  • knobnoun
  • budnoun

Related words

  • boutonnerbutton upverb
  • boutonnièrebuttonholenoun

Word lists with this word