French word

crue

Pronunciation

IPA/kʁy/

Meaning

  • feminine nounflood

Example

La crue a inondé le quartier.

The flood inundated the neighborhood.

Illustration for crue (flood)

More examples

La route est fermée à cause de la crue.

The road is closed because of the flood.

Core concept

Heavy rain or melting snow sends a sudden surge through a river and over its banks.

Common phrases

  • risque de crue

    risk of a flood

  • crue soudaine

    sudden flood

  • alerte à la crue

    flood alert

Similar words

inondation: A state in which water covers buildings, roads, or other land.
débordement: Water overflowing beyond its usual channel or limits.

Definition in French

Élévation notable et soudaine du niveau d'une rivière ou d'un fleuve, souvent liée à de fortes pluies ou à la fonte des neiges.

Word origin

Crue is a French formation from Old French creue, related to creistre and ultimately to Latin crescere, to grow.

Usage tips

  • Crue is pronounced like cru, but its feminine article and flood-related context distinguish the noun from the adjective meaning raw or uncooked.

Other meanings

  • risenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word