French word

faucon

Pronunciation

IPA/fokɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfalcon

Example

Le faucon a plongé et attrapé un pigeon.

The falcon swooped down and caught a pigeon.

Illustration for faucon (falcon)

More examples

J'ai vu un faucon en vol près du parc.

I saw a falcon in flight near the park.

Core concept

A hooked-beaked raptor folding its wings into a fast dive to seize prey in midair.

Common phrases

  • voir un faucon

    to see a falcon

  • un faucon en vol

    a falcon in flight

Similar words

oiseau: A feathered animal with a beak that is generally capable of flight.
hibou: A nocturnal owl with large eyes and a rounded face that quietly catches prey.
colombe: A pale or white dove associated with peace.
pigeon: A medium-sized pigeon often found in cities and parks and sometimes walking on the ground.

Definition in French

Rapace au bec crochu et aux serres puissantes, réputé pour ses plongées rapides qui lui permettent d'attraper des proies en vol.

Word origin

French faucon comes through Old French from Latin falco, the name of a falcon, and is traditionally linked to falx, 'sickle', for the bird's curved features.

Usage tips

  • Faucon is masculine, so standard forms are un faucon and le faucon, and the final -on is nasal rather than a pronounced n.

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