French word

défaite

Pronunciation

IPA/defɛt/

Meaning

  • feminine noundefeat

Example

Notre équipe a subi une défaite hier.

Our team suffered a defeat yesterday.

Illustration for défaite (defeat)

More examples

Il faut tirer des leçons de la défaite.

We must learn lessons from the defeat.

Core concept

A finished match, battle, competition, or election with victory awarded to the other side.

Common phrases

  • subir une défaite

    suffer a defeat

  • éviter la défaite

    avoid defeat

  • une défaite cuisante

    a crushing defeat

Similar words

perte: Possessions or points that have been lost.
échec: The unsuccessful outcome of an attempt or plan.
revers: An unexpected setback that turns circumstances or fortunes against someone.
déroute: A crushing defeat in a battle or match against a stronger opponent.

Definition in French

Perte subie par une personne, une équipe ou un pays lors d'un match, d'un combat, d'une compétition ou d'une élection ; résultat contraire à la victoire.

Word origin

The noun défaite developed from Old French desfaite, the feminine past participle of desfaire, meaning that a winning outcome has been undone.

Usage tips

  • English defeat and French défaite are related words, but the French noun takes feminine agreement, as in une défaite importante.

Other meanings

  • lossnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word