French word

cavale

Pronunciation

IPA/kaval/

Meaning

  • feminine nounon the run

Example

Il est en cavale depuis deux jours.

He has been on the run for two days.

Illustration for cavale (on the run)

More examples

Après l'évasion, il s'est mis en cavale.

After the escape, he went on the run.

Core concept

Life on the run, marked by concealment and the need to avoid capture.

Common phrases

  • être en cavale

    be on the run

  • se mettre en cavale

    go on the run

Similar words

évasion: The act of escaping from surveillance or confinement.
fuite: The act of fleeing to avoid pursuit or danger.
fugue: The act of leaving home or responsibilities and disappearing.

Definition in French

Désigne l'état d'une personne évadée ou cachée pour éviter d'être arrêtée.

Word origin

The noun cavale derives from cavaler, 'to escape or run away', whose deeper origin is the Latin word caballus, 'horse'.

Usage tips

  • Cavale refers to the fugitive state rather than simply a brief escape, so être en cavale describes an ongoing situation.

Other meanings

  • escapenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word