French Conversation · Level 40
75 words
French word
former
Pronunciation
IPA/fɔʁme/
Meaning
- verbform
Example
Ils forment un groupe.
They form a group.
More examples
Une idée s'est formée pendant la réunion.
An idea formed during the meeting.
Core concept
Hands mold material or organize parts until they take a clear, unified structure.
Common phrases
former un groupe
form a group
former une équipe
form a team
se former
undergo training
Similar words
créer: To create something new or bring a new state into existence.
constituer: To bring several elements together to make up a whole.
réunir: To bring people or things together in the same place or at the same time.
assembler: To fit separate parts or elements together into a complete unit.
Definition in French
Donner une forme ou une structure à quelque chose, rendre plusieurs éléments en un tout identifiable.
Word origin
The French verb former is inherited from Latin formare through Old French, with the basic idea of giving something a form.
Usage tips
- For training, French commonly uses former quelqu'un à quelque chose, as in former quelqu'un à un métier, rather than the English pattern train someone in a skill.