French Conversation · Level 110
59 words
French word
enfiler
Pronunciation
IPA/ɑ̃file/
Meaning
- verbput on
Example
Il a enfilé son manteau.
He put on his coat.
More examples
Elle a enfilé des gants avant de sortir.
She put on gloves before going out.
Core concept
Something long or shaped for an opening passes through it, or a garment slips over the body into position.
Common phrases
enfiler un manteau
put on a coat
enfiler des gants
put on gloves
enfiler un pull
put on a sweater
Similar words
mettre: To put on a garment.
s'habiller: To dress oneself in clothing.
porter: To have clothing on and wear it.
passer: To pass a limb through part of a garment.
Definition in French
Introduire ou faire glisser sur soi ou dans un objet quelque chose (vêtement, bague, fil) pour le mettre en place.
Word origin
French enfiler is built from en- and fil, which comes from Latin filum meaning 'thread', reflecting the original action of passing something along a thread.
Usage tips
- The reflexive form s'enfiler can colloquially mean to consume something quickly, as in s'enfiler un sandwich.