French word

crapaud

Pronunciation

IPA/kʁapo/

Meaning

  • masculine nountoad

Example

Il y a un crapaud près du portail.

There is a toad near the gate.

Illustration for crapaud (toad)

More examples

J'ai vu un crapaud dans le jardin ce matin.

I saw a toad in the garden this morning.

Core concept

A short-legged, rough-skinned amphibian by a pond or gate, also used as a harsh label for someone judged unattractive.

Common phrases

  • voir un crapaud

    see a toad

Similar words

grenouille: A rounded-bodied amphibian that often moves by jumping.

Definition in French

Amphibien terrestre au corps court et aux pattes postérieures courtes, à la peau bosselée; au sens familier, insulte pour quelqu'un considéré comme laid.

Word origin

The French noun crapaud is attested in Middle French, but no earlier origin is certain, and its literal animal sense acquired a figurative insult sense.

Usage tips

  • The final d in crapaud is silent, and the ending -aud is pronounced like French /o/.

Other meanings

  • ugly personnoun

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