French Conversation · Level 32
90 words
French word
controverse
Pronunciation
IPA/kɔ̃tʁovɛʁs/
Meaning
- feminine nouncontroversy
Example
La controverse autour du projet a duré des mois.
The controversy over the project continued for months.
More examples
Il arrive souvent qu'une controverse naisse sur les réseaux sociaux.
It often happens that a controversy arises on social media.
Core concept
A public arena where opposing positions meet and arguments keep turning the issue from side to side.
Common phrases
être au centre d'une controverse
be at the center of a controversy
une controverse scientifique
a scientific controversy
Similar words
débat: A discussion in which people share views on a specific topic.
désaccord: A lack of agreement between people holding different views or positions.
dispute: A heated argument driven by strong emotions.
polémique: A public dispute marked by fierce attacks and defenses.
Definition in French
Débat public marqué par des positions opposées et des échanges argumentés.
Word origin
French controverse comes through Old French from Latin controversia, built on contra, 'against', and vertere, 'to turn', suggesting views turned against each other.
Usage tips
- Controverse is feminine, so standard phrases use la controverse, une controverse, and cette controverse.
Other meanings
- disputenoun
- debatenoun
Opposites
- ententeagreementnoun
Related words
- controverserdisputeverb
- controversécontroversialadjective