French word

flic

Pronunciation

IPA/flik/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncop

Example

Le flic a aidé la vieille dame.

The cop helped the old lady.

Illustration for flic (cop)

More examples

Un flic en uniforme est venu nous parler.

A uniformed cop came to talk to us.

Core concept

A police officer seen through a familiar, slightly critical nickname rather than an official title.

Common phrases

  • un flic en uniforme

    a uniformed cop

  • le flic de service

    the cop on duty

  • une patrouille de flics

    a patrol of cops

Similar words

policier: A uniformed law-enforcement officer who patrols streets and deals with public safety.
gendarme: A military-affiliated police officer serving mainly in the countryside and on highways.
agent: A station-based police officer who handles patrols, incidents, and routine administrative tasks.
inspecteur: A case investigator responsible for collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses and suspects.

Definition in French

Souvent péjoratif, désigne un agent de police, exprimant familiarité ou distance critique vis-à-vis de l'autorité.

Word origin

The slang noun flic has an obscure origin, and no single source is securely accepted by French etymological references.

Usage tips

  • Flic is masculine, as in un flic, and its familiar register differs from the more neutral policier.

Opposites

Word lists with this word