French word

brevet

Pronunciation

IPA/bʁəvɛ/

Meaning

  • masculine noundiploma

Example

Après les examens, elle a enfin obtenu son brevet.

After the exams, she finally obtained her diploma.

Illustration for brevet (diploma)

More examples

Il a passé le brevet la semaine dernière.

He took the middle-school diploma exam last week.

Core concept

An official certificate placed in hand as proof of achievement or of a legally recognized invention right.

Common phrases

  • obtenir son brevet

    get one's middle-school diploma

  • passer le brevet

    take the middle-school diploma exam

  • le brevet des collèges

    the middle-school diploma

Similar words

diplôme: A formal document certifying completed studies or an earned academic degree.
certificat: A document verifying success in a specific test or procedure, or confirming a fact.
attestation: A simple official document attesting that an identity, address, or fact is correct.
titre: A formal title or document representing a position, qualification, or distinction.

Definition in French

Titre ou document attestant officiellement un droit ou une réussite, employé tant pour des diplômes scolaires que pour des brevets d'invention ou d'autres certificats.

Word origin

The word is inherited through Old French brevet from Latin brevis, meaning short, reflecting the early sense of a brief written official record.

Usage tips

  • Brevet d'invention means a patent, while brevet des collèges names a school certificate, so the accompanying phrase determines the sense.

Other meanings

  • certificatenoun
  • patentnoun

Word lists with this word