French Conversation · Level 33
90 words
French word
foule
Pronunciation
IPA/ful/
Meaning
- feminine nouncrowd
Example
Il y avait une foule au marché.
There was a crowd at the market.
More examples
Il a réussi à se faufiler dans la foule pour attraper son train.
He managed to slip through the crowd to catch his train.
Core concept
Many people occupy the same public space as a single crowded gathering rather than an organized group.
Common phrases
une foule de touristes
a crowd of tourists
se faufiler dans la foule
to slip through the crowd
une foule compacte
a dense crowd
Similar words
monde: A crowd of passersby or spectators present at a particular place.
cohue: An intense crush of people unable to move freely.
bousculade: A confused surge of pushing that may lead to falls or injuries.
Definition in French
Groupement de personnes dans un lieu public, souvent dense et sans organisation précise.
Word origin
The noun foule developed from Old French foule and is connected with fouler, "to trample or press," which suits the idea of bodies packed together.
Usage tips
- The pattern une foule de personnes means "a large number of people" and requires de before the following noun.