French word

demi-tour

Pronunciation

IPA/dəmituʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounu-turn

Example

Il a fait un demi-tour parce qu'il avait oublié ses clés.

He made a U-turn because he forgot his keys.

Illustration for demi-tour (u-turn)

More examples

Elle a dû faire demi-tour à cause des travaux.

She had to make a U-turn because of the roadworks.

Core concept

A forward movement bends back through a single turn, creating a clear reversal of direction.

Common phrases

  • faire demi-tour

    make a U-turn

Similar words

virage: A bend or corner in a road.
marche arrière: A driving maneuver that moves a vehicle backward.
retour: The act of returning to an earlier place or state.
revirement: A sudden, major change in policy or attitude.

Definition in French

Signifie le fait de revenir en arrière en effectuant une demi-rotation, au sens propre comme pour traduire un changement radical de direction.

Word origin

The compound joins French demi, 'half', and tour, 'turn', with tour descending through Old French from Latin tornare.

Usage tips

  • In figurative use, faire demi-tour can describe abandoning a stated position or policy, not only changing physical direction.

Other meanings

  • about-facenoun

Word lists with this word