French Conversation · Level 118
59 words
French word
fourreau
Pronunciation
IPA/fuʁo/
Meaning
- masculine nouncover
Example
Range le parapluie dans son fourreau.
Put the umbrella away in its cover.
More examples
Le couteau est rangé dans son fourreau.
The knife is stored in its sheath.
Core concept
A narrow outer layer drawn closely around an object or garment, protecting it without adding much space.
Common phrases
fourreau de couteau
knife sheath
mettre dans son fourreau
put ___ in its sheath
Similar words
étui: A shaped case for storing and carrying a small item.
housse: A large fabric or synthetic cover that protects equipment or furniture.
Definition in French
Housse étroite servant à envelopper et protéger un objet ou un vêtement ajusté, par exemple une robe ou un parapluie.
Word origin
The medieval French form forreau named a sheath, and French later extended the word to close-fitting garment shapes.
Usage tips
- For a loose cover such as a bag or furniture cover, housse is usually more natural, while étui often denotes a small case.
Other meanings
- casenoun
- sheathnoun