French word

feu

Pronunciation

IPA/fø/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfire

Example

Il y a un feu dans le jardin.

There is a fire in the garden.

Illustration for feu (fire)

More examples

Nous avons allumé un feu de camp ce soir.

We lit a campfire tonight.

Core concept

A wavering flame rises from a point of burning, or appears as a small visible signal.

Common phrases

  • un feu de camp

    campfire

  • allumer un feu

    light a fire

  • feu d'artifice

    fireworks

Similar words

flamme: The bright, flickering part of a fire.
incendie: A large, destructive fire in a home, forest, or other place.
bougie: A small candle with a wick, used indoors for light or fragrance.

Definition in French

Flamme ou lumière localisée résultant d'une combustion, et par extension une lumière servant de signal.

Word origin

French feu comes through Old French from Latin focus, which referred to a hearth or fire before the word extended to lights and signals.

Usage tips

  • Feu is masculine, so standard forms include le feu and un feu.

Other meanings

  • traffic lightnoun
  • flamenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word