French word

efforcer

Pronunciation

IPA/efɔʁse/

Meaning

  • verbtry

Example

Je m'efforce de finir ce projet.

I am trying to finish this project.

Illustration for efforcer (try)

More examples

Ils s'efforcent de trouver une solution rapidement.

They are striving to find a solution quickly.

Core concept

A sustained push of will and energy toward a goal.

Common phrases

  • s'efforcer de

    strive to

Similar words

essayer: To attempt something by actually doing it.
se donner de la peine: To carry something out through considerable time and effort despite difficulty.
tâcher: To strive to accomplish something.
s'appliquer: To apply oneself to something with care and concentration.

Definition in French

Mettre sa volonté et son énergie pour réussir quelque chose; essayer avec persévérance.

Word origin

Efforcer comes through Old French esforcier from Vulgar Latin exfortiare, built on Latin fortis, meaning "strong," and belongs to the same word family as effort.

Usage tips

  • The usual modern construction is s'efforcer de plus an infinitive, as in Je m'efforce de finir ce projet.

Opposites

  • abandonnergive upverb
  • se découragerbecome discouragedverb

Related words

  • efforteffortnoun
  • efforcéforcedadjective

Word lists with this word