French word

fugitif

Pronunciation

IPA/fyʒitif/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfugitive

Example

La police a capturé le fugitif hier soir.

The police caught the fugitive last night.

Illustration for fugitif (fugitive)

More examples

On a retrouvé des affaires du fugitif près de la gare.

Some of the fugitive's belongings were found near the station.

Core concept

A person who remains out of reach after fleeing those pursuing or searching for them.

Common phrases

  • un fugitif en cavale

    a fugitive on the run

  • arrêter le fugitif

    arrest the fugitive

Similar words

fuyard: A person who leaves to escape danger or responsibility.
évadé: A person who has escaped from prison or a detention facility.
déserteur: A military member who has left the armed forces without permission.

Definition in French

Personne en fuite, surtout quelqu'un qui a échappé à la police ou à la justice.

Word origin

French fugitif comes through Old French from Latin fugitivus, formed from fugere, 'to flee'.

Usage tips

  • As a noun, fugitif is masculine; the feminine form is fugitive, and the adjective follows the same gender pattern.

Other meanings

  • escapeenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • fuguerrun awayverb
  • fugitivefleetingadjective

Word lists with this word