French word

crampe

Pronunciation

IPA/kʁɑ̃p/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncramp

Example

Ce matin, j'ai eu une crampe au pied.

This morning, I had a cramp in my foot.

Illustration for crampe (cramp)

More examples

Pendant la course, j'ai eu une crampe au mollet.

During the race, I got a cramp in my calf.

Core concept

A sudden muscle spasm grips a localized spot with sharp pain before easing.

Common phrases

  • avoir une crampe

    get a cramp

  • une crampe au mollet

    a cramp in the calf

  • une crampe au pied

    a cramp in the foot

Similar words

douleur: A general sensation of pain in a part of the body.
courbature: Muscle soreness and heaviness caused by overuse or exercise.
fourmillement: A sensation of small prickles or numbness in the skin or limbs.

Definition in French

Contraction musculaire involontaire et douloureuse, généralement brève et localisée.

Word origin

Crampe entered French through Old French from Latin crampus, which ultimately derives from Greek κράμπη.

Usage tips

  • In crampe, the final e is silent, the p is pronounced, and the vowel has the French nasal sound.

Other meanings

  • spasmnoun

Opposites

  • détenterelaxationnoun
  • relâchementreleasenoun

Word lists with this word