French Conversation · Level 113
59 words
French word
délétère
Pronunciation
IPA/deletɛʁ/
Meaning
- adjectiveharmful
Example
La fumée de cigarette est délétère pour la santé.
Cigarette smoke is harmful to your health.
More examples
La consommation excessive d'alcool a souvent un effet délétère sur la santé.
Excessive alcohol consumption often has a harmful effect on health.
Core concept
A hidden poison that slowly damages health, behavior, or an environment.
Similar words
malsain: Unhealthy and harmful to people or the general atmosphere.
nocif: Having a harmful effect on the body or health.
néfaste: Likely to cause long-term harm or loss.
toxique: Poisonous or chemically harmful to the body.
Definition in French
Qui produit des effets nuisibles ou dangereux, en particulier de manière lente, insidieuse ou durable.
Word origin
Délétère comes through Latin deleterius from Greek dēlētērios, meaning poisonous or harmful.
Usage tips
- Délétère is a formal adjective commonly used with pour, as in être délétère pour la santé.