French word

faïence

Pronunciation

IPA/fajɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounearthenware

Example

Cette assiette est en faïence.

This plate is made of earthenware.

Illustration for faïence (earthenware)

More examples

J'ai cassé une tasse en faïence hier.

I broke an earthenware cup yesterday.

Core concept

A colorful earthenware dish or ornament sealed under a glossy glaze.

Common phrases

  • assiette en faïence

    earthenware plate

  • vaisselle en faïence

    earthenware dishes

  • service de faïence

    earthenware dinnerware set

Similar words

porcelaine: Hard, high-fired porcelain that is white, thin, and sometimes translucent.
céramique: A broad term for ceramic wares, including pottery and porcelain.

Definition in French

Désigne un type de céramique vernissée, c'est-à-dire de la terre cuite émaillée souvent décorée et moins dure que la porcelaine.

Word origin

The French noun faïence was borrowed from Italian faenza, referring to pottery associated with Faenza, and later covered glazed earthenware more generally.

Usage tips

  • For an object, une faïence can name a faience piece, while en faïence identifies its material, as in des carreaux en faïence.

Opposites

Related words

  • faïencerieearthenware factorynoun
  • faïencierearthenware makernoun

Word lists with this word