French Conversation · Level 38
75 words
French word
couvrir
Pronunciation
IPA/kuvʁiʁ/
Meaning
- verbcover
Example
La neige couvre le sol.
The snow covers the ground.
More examples
L'assurance couvre les frais de réparation.
The insurance covers the repair costs.
Core concept
A layer spread over something hides or protects it, while a person or service can similarly cover a cost or event.
Common phrases
couvrir le sol
cover the ground
couvrir de neige
cover with snow
couvrir les frais
cover the costs
Similar words
protéger: To keep someone or something safe from harm or damage.
cacher: To keep something out of sight.
payer: To pay an amount that is owed.
Definition in French
Mettre ou déposer quelque chose sur une surface de façon à la cacher ou la protéger ; s'emploie aussi pour prendre en charge une dépense ou assurer la couverture médiatique d'un fait.
Word origin
Couvrir comes from Old French covrir, from Latin cooperire, formed with co- meaning 'together' and operire meaning 'to cover'.
Usage tips
- In couvrir les frais, couvrir means to pay or meet the costs, while couvrir un événement means to report it rather than merely hide it.
Other meanings
- pay forverb
Opposites
- découvriruncoververb
Related words
- couverturecoveringnoun
- recouvrircover againverb
- couvertcoveredadjective