French word

coincé

Pronunciation

IPA/kwɛ̃se/

Meaning

  • adjectivestuck

Example

Je suis coincé entre deux chaises.

I am stuck between two chairs.

Illustration for coincé (stuck)

More examples

Je suis coincé dans l'ascenseur.

I'm stuck in the elevator.

Core concept

A person wedged between opposing pressures, unable to shift or find a way forward.

Common phrases

  • être coincé dans l'ascenseur

    be stuck in the elevator

  • être coincé dans le trafic

    be stuck in traffic

  • avoir les mains coincées

    have one's hands trapped

Similar words

bloqué: Unable to proceed because a route or process is obstructed.
empêché: Prevented by someone or something from carrying out an action or plan.
embarrassé: Too awkward or uncomfortable to behave naturally.

Definition in French

Issu du participe passé de coincer, indique l'incapacité d'agir ou d'avancer dans une situation, par exemple quand un choix ou un obstacle empêche de bouger.

Word origin

Coincé is the past participle of coincer, formed from coin, meaning a corner or wedge, which comes through Old French from Latin cuneus.

Usage tips

  • Coincé agrees with the subject as coincé, coincée, coincés, or coincées, and être commonly describes this state.

Other meanings

  • jammedadjective
  • trappedadjective

Opposites

  • librefreeadjective
  • dégagéclearadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word