French word

ficelle

Pronunciation

IPA/fisɛl/

Meaning

  • feminine nounstring

Example

J'ai acheté une ficelle pour réparer la lampe.

I bought some string to repair the lamp.

Illustration for ficelle (string)

More examples

Les ficelles du métier s'apprennent avec l'expérience.

The tricks of the trade are learned through experience.

Core concept

A hand-sized cord wound around an object, with the same idea extending to a simple device or a crafty ploy.

Common phrases

  • les ficelles du métier

    tricks of the trade

  • une ficelle à rôti

    roasting twine

  • une ficelle de cuisine

    kitchen twine

Similar words

corde: A sturdy, thick rope for pulling or supporting heavy objects.
fil: A fine strand used in sewing, knitting, and other textile work.
lacet: A thin lace passed through holes and tied to fasten footwear or clothing.
ruban: A flat band of fabric or plastic used for adornment or tying.

Definition in French

Petit morceau de corde ou de fil servant à lier, fixer ou suspendre ; par extension, moyen simple employé pour atteindre un but.

Word origin

Ficelle comes through Old French ficel, formed as a diminutive of fil and tracing back to Latin filum, meaning thread.

Usage tips

  • In food contexts, une ficelle can also mean a long, thin French loaf, so the context determines whether it means cord or bread.

Other meanings

  • tricknoun

Related words

  • ficelertie with stringverb
  • ficelagetying with stringnoun

Word lists with this word