French word

fanfare

Pronunciation

IPA/fɑ̃faʁ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounfanfare

Example

Ils ont joué une fanfare pour annoncer le début.

They played a fanfare to announce the beginning.

Illustration for fanfare (fanfare)

More examples

Le projet a été lancé en fanfare, puis oublié.

The project was launched with great fanfare, then forgotten.

Core concept

Brass instruments sounding together in a brief, shining signal that gives an event a ceremonial opening.

Common phrases

  • arriver en fanfare

    arrive with great fanfare

  • être accueilli en fanfare

    be welcomed with great fanfare

  • partir sans fanfare

    leave without fanfare

Similar words

annonce: A short notice or statement that conveys news or information.
célébration: An event where people gather to celebrate or commemorate something.
publicité: Promotion or advertising intended to make a product or event widely known.

Definition in French

Courte séquence de sons brillants joués par des instruments à cuivre pour annoncer ou souligner le début d'un événement.

Word origin

French borrowed fanfare from Italian fanfara, which referred to a short signal played on trumpets or similar brass instruments.

Usage tips

  • Sans fanfare means without public fuss or ceremony and is often used figuratively rather than for an actual performance.

Other meanings

  • bandnoun
  • brass bandnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word