French word

comte

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃t/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncount

Example

Mon oncle est comte.

My uncle is a count.

Illustration for comte (count)

More examples

Nous avons rencontré le comte hier.

We met the count yesterday.

Core concept

A hereditary nobleman identified with a territory or family line.

Common phrases

  • être comte

    be a count

  • rencontrer le comte

    meet the count

Similar words

comtesse: The female title corresponding to the rank of count.
titre: A formal title or honor granted by an official authority.

Definition in French

Titre nobiliaire masculin désignant le rang de comte, souvent transmis par héritage et employé dans les formules « Monsieur le comte » ou « le comte de ... ».

Word origin

French comte comes through Old French from Latin comes, meaning 'companion', a term for an official attendant that developed into a noble title; English count is related.

Usage tips

  • The final t in comte is silent, so the word is pronounced like conte and compte.

Related words

  • comtessecountessnoun

Word lists with this word