French Conversation · Level 170
15 words
French word
galon
Pronunciation
IPA/galɔ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nountrim
Example
La robe a un galon doré autour du col.
The dress has gold trim around the collar.
More examples
Le soldat porte deux galons sur l'épaule qui indiquent son grade.
The soldier wears two shoulder braids that indicate his rank.
Core concept
A narrow ornamental band that frames clothing and can signal rank when worn on a uniform.
Common phrases
les galons militaires
military insignia stripes
gagner des galons
earn one's stripes
un galon sur l'épaule
a shoulder braid
Similar words
ruban: A narrow strip made of fabric or synthetic material for wrapping, tying, or decoration.
bande: A broad, flat strip of fabric or another material.
cordon: A thin cord used for tying or decorative purposes.
frange: Threads or tassels attached along the edge of fabric as decoration.
Definition in French
Ruban ou tresse décorative servant à border un vêtement, et par extension bande employée pour marquer un grade sur un uniforme.
Word origin
The French noun was borrowed from Italian gallone for a decorative band, with the military sense developing later.
Usage tips
- Galon is pronounced roughly ga-lon with a nasal final vowel, not like the English word gallon.
Other meanings
- braidnoun
- stripenoun
Opposites
- sobriétésimplicitynoun
Related words
- galonnétrimmed with braidadjective