French word

clochette

Pronunciation

IPA/kloʃɛt/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsmall bell

Example

Le chat porte une clochette.

The cat wears a small bell.

Illustration for clochette (small bell)

More examples

Les enfants font tinter des clochettes pendant le défilé.

The children jingle small bells during the parade.

Core concept

A small metal bell hanging from a collar or ornament, making a light chime as it moves.

Common phrases

  • secouer une clochette

    shake a small bell

  • porter une clochette au collier

    put a small bell on a collar

  • sonner la clochette

    ring a small bell

Similar words

sonnette: A small doorbell or push-button device used to announce a visitor.
cloche: A fairly large bell used in churches or schools, with a deep, far-carrying sound.
grelot: A small, lightweight metal bell attached to an animal's collar, jingling as it moves.

Definition in French

Petite cloche métallique, généralement suspendue ou fixée à un collier ou à un ornement, qui produit un son léger lorsqu'elle bouge.

Word origin

French clochette is formed from cloche, from Medieval Latin clocca, with the diminutive suffix -ette.

Usage tips

  • Clochette is feminine, so standard forms include une clochette and cette clochette.

Other meanings

  • bellnoun

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