French word

friche

Pronunciation

IPA/fʁiʃ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounvacant lot

Example

Il y a une friche derrière la gare.

There is a vacant lot behind the station.

Illustration for friche (vacant lot)

More examples

La friche va être aménagée en parc.

The vacant lot is going to be developed into a park.

Core concept

Land showing traces of a former field or factory, now left unused and growing wild.

Common phrases

  • terrain en friche

    fallow land

  • friche urbaine

    urban vacant lot

Similar words

terrain vague: An unused, empty lot with weeds and no buildings or facilities.
terrain abandonné: Land that has been neglected, abandoned, and left unused.

Definition in French

Parcelle anciennement exploitée (agricole ou industrielle) et désormais inutilisée ou en jachère.

Word origin

The noun comes from Old French friche, a term for land left uncultivated, and its meaning later extended to unused agricultural or industrial sites.

Usage tips

  • Friche is feminine: une friche, and the phrase en friche describes land left unused or uncultivated.

Other meanings

  • wastelandnoun
  • fallow landnoun

Opposites

  • terre cultivéecultivated landnoun
  • champfieldnoun

Word lists with this word