French word

fondre

Pronunciation

IPA/fɔ̃dʁ/

Meaning

  • verbmelt

Example

La neige fond au printemps.

The snow melts in spring.

Illustration for fondre (melt)

More examples

Le chocolat fond dans la bouche.

The chocolate melts in the mouth.

Core concept

Heat removes a solid's shape and leaves it able to flow, either by itself or through an external action.

Common phrases

  • faire fondre le chocolat

    melt the chocolate

  • fondre dans la bouche

    melt in the mouth

  • fondre en larmes

    burst into tears

  • se fondre dans la foule

    fade into the crowd

Similar words

faire fondre: Turn a solid into a liquid by heating it.
dégeler: Thaw and become soft as frozen material warms.

Definition in French

Passer de l'état solide à l'état liquide sous l'effet de la chaleur; s'emploie aussi pour désigner l'action de faire fondre un matériau.

Word origin

The modern verb fondre is inherited from Latin fundere through Old French, with an older connection to pouring and flowing.

Usage tips

  • English melt covers both roles, whereas French often distinguishes La neige fond from Je fais fondre le beurre.

Opposites

Related words

  • fondumeltedadjective
  • fondantmeltingadjective
  • fonduefonduenoun

Word lists with this word