French word

dégainer

Pronunciation

IPA/degene/

Meaning

  • verbpull out

Example

Il dégaine son couteau.

He pulls out his knife.

Illustration for dégainer (pull out)

More examples

Il dégaine sa carte bancaire pour payer.

He takes out his bank card to pay.

Core concept

A hand swiftly draws a weapon or object from a sheath, case, or pocket, ready for immediate use.

Common phrases

  • dégainer sa carte bancaire

    take out a bank card

  • dégainer un couteau

    draw a knife

Similar words

sortir: To remove an item from a bag, pocket, or other receptacle.
tirer: To draw something toward oneself using the hands or physical force.
retirer: To remove something by pulling it from its position or container.

Definition in French

Retirer rapidement, d'un fourreau, d'un étui ou d'une poche, une arme ou un objet pour l'utiliser ou pour le brandir.

Word origin

Dégainer combines the removal prefix dé- with Old French gaine, "sheath," from Latin vagina, and its original meaning is drawing a weapon from its sheath.

Usage tips

  • In modern informal French, dégainer can also describe quickly producing a phone or card, while retaining a weapon-drawing tone.

Other meanings

  • take outverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word