French word

coffre-fort

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔfʁəfɔʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsafe

Example

Où as-tu mis les clés ? Elles sont dans le coffre-fort.

Where did you put the keys? They're in the safe.

Illustration for coffre-fort (safe)

More examples

Il faut verrouiller le coffre-fort avant de partir.

It is necessary to lock the safe before leaving.

Core concept

A locked, heavy metal box or cabinet that keeps valuables and important papers secure.

Common phrases

  • mettre dans le coffre-fort

    put in the safe

  • clé du coffre-fort

    key to the safe

  • verrouiller le coffre-fort

    lock the safe

Similar words

boîte: A container for holding items, typically made of paper or metal.
coffre: A large storage chest or compartment used at home or in a warehouse.
caisse: A large wooden box used to transport or store goods and packages.

Definition in French

Boîte ou armoire métallique très solide, fermée par une serrure ou une combinaison, destinée à protéger des objets de valeur et des documents.

Word origin

The compound joins Old French cofre, meaning a chest or box, with fort, from Latin fortis, meaning strong.

Usage tips

  • The noun is masculine: un coffre-fort, and both parts take plural marking in des coffres-forts.

Other meanings

  • safe-deposit boxnoun

Word lists with this word