French word

combattant

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃batɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfighter

Example

Le combattant a été capturé hier.

The fighter was captured yesterday.

Illustration for combattant (fighter)

More examples

L'ancien combattant reçoit une pension.

The veteran receives a pension.

Core concept

A person actively fighting with a weapon, whether in a regular unit or an irregular group.

Common phrases

  • ancien combattant

    veteran

  • un combattant volontaire

    a volunteer fighter

Similar words

soldat: A person trained and serving in the armed forces of a state.
rebelle: A person who fights against a government or other ruling authority.
insurgé: A person who takes up arms against a government regime.

Definition in French

Personne prenant part à un combat armé, qu'il s'agisse de soldats réguliers, de miliciens ou de combattants irréguliers.

Word origin

Combattant is the present participle of combattre, inherited through Old French from Late Latin combattere, meaning to fight together.

Usage tips

  • Combattant is broader than soldat because it can include militia members and irregular fighters, not only regular army personnel.

Other meanings

  • warriornoun
  • soldiernoun
  • militantnoun

Opposites

  • non-combattantnoncombatantnoun
  • pacifistepacifistnoun

Related words

  • combattifcombativeadjective
  • combatcombatnoun

Word lists with this word