French Conversation · Level 150
30 words
French word
dénouement
Pronunciation
IPA/denumɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounending
Example
Le dénouement a tout expliqué.
The ending explained everything.
More examples
Les spectateurs ont été surpris par le dénouement du film.
The spectators were surprised by the film's ending.
Core concept
A final untying that makes the course of events fully understandable.
Common phrases
le dénouement du film
the film's ending
dénouement surprenant
surprising ending
Similar words
fin: The ending of an event or story.
issue: The result reached by an event or discussion.
conclusion: The closing section of a speech or discussion.
Definition in French
Point final d'une intrigue ou d'une situation, où les conflits se résolvent et l'histoire trouve sa conclusion.
Word origin
Dénouement developed from the French verb dénouer, which combines dé- with nouer, a verb descended through Old French from Latin nodus, or knot.
Usage tips
- Dénouement is literary or formal, while everyday French more often uses la fin or says that something s'est terminé.