French Conversation · Level 143
30 words
French word
extirper
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛkstiʁpe/
Meaning
- verbremove
Example
Il faut extirper cette mauvaise habitude.
This bad habit needs to be removed.
More examples
Ils ont décidé de ne pas extirper certaines traditions malgré les critiques.
They decided not to uproot certain traditions despite the criticism.
Core concept
A hand pulling a weed out by its roots, leaving nothing harmful in the soil.
Similar words
arracher: To yank something out forcefully from the root or base.
enlever: To get rid of an object or dirt by removing it.
ôter: To remove something that is being worn or has been placed somewhere.
Definition in French
Signifie arracher quelque chose en le tirant hors de son emplacement, souvent jusqu'à la racine; s'emploie aussi au figuré pour éliminer une habitude ou un élément nuisible.
Word origin
French extirper comes from Latin extirpare, formed with ex- meaning 'out' and stirps meaning 'root or stock', and it developed from literal uprooting to broader removal.
Usage tips
- Extirper is more formal and forceful than enlever, while se débarrasser is often more natural for everyday problems or habits.