French word

engrais

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃gʁɛ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfertilizer

Example

J'achète un engrais spécial pour les roses.

I am buying a special fertilizer for the roses.

Illustration for engrais (fertilizer)

More examples

Les agriculteurs répandent de l'engrais au printemps.

Farmers spread fertilizer in spring.

Core concept

Nutrient-rich material mixed into soil to feed plants and promote strong growth.

Common phrases

  • engrais chimique

    chemical fertilizer

  • engrais organique

    organic fertilizer

  • engrais naturel

    natural fertilizer

Similar words

fertilisant: A substance added to soil or around roots to provide nutrients for plant growth.
compost: Organic material made by decomposing food scraps and leaves to enrich soil.

Definition in French

Matière contenant des nutriments (azote, phosphore, potassium, etc.) ajoutée au sol pour stimuler la croissance des plantes.

Word origin

Engrais developed from Old French engraisser, meaning to fatten, with en- and gras, ultimately linked to Latin crassus, meaning thick or fat.

Usage tips

  • Engrais is masculine, so the usual form is un engrais, and its plural is also engrais.

Other meanings

  • chemical fertilizernoun
  • organic fertilizernoun

Related words

  • engraisserfattenverb
  • engraissementfatteningnoun
  • engraisséfattenedadjective

Word lists with this word