French word

engueuler

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃gøle/

Meaning

  • verbyell at

Example

Ne l'engueule pas devant les enfants.

Don't yell at him in front of the children.

Illustration for engueuler (yell at)

More examples

Il m'a engueulé hier parce que j'étais en retard.

He yelled at me yesterday because I was late.

Core concept

A person firing loud, harsh words at someone face to face.

Common phrases

  • engueuler quelqu'un

    yell at someone

  • se faire engueuler

    get yelled at

Similar words

crier: To produce a loud cry or speak in a very loud voice.
gronder: To scold someone to express disapproval or dissatisfaction.
insulter: To hurt someone with insulting or abusive words.
réprimander: To formally reprimand someone for their conduct or attitude.

Definition in French

Réprimander vivement quelqu'un en parlant fort, de registre familier.

Word origin

Engueuler is formed with en- from gueule, a word for a mouth or animal maw that also has a coarse human sense.

Usage tips

  • Engueuler is familiar and takes a direct person object, as in engueuler quelqu'un rather than using a preposition.

Other meanings

  • scoldverb
  • insultverb

Opposites

Related words

  • engueuladeshouting matchnoun
  • engueuléyelled atadjective

Word lists with this word