French word

grenier

Pronunciation

IPA/gʁənje/

Meaning

  • masculine nounattic

Example

Le chat dort dans le grenier.

The cat sleeps in the attic.

Illustration for grenier (attic)

More examples

Elle est montée au grenier pour prendre une boîte.

She went up to the attic to get a box.

Core concept

Boxes, tools, and old furniture gathered in the dark space under a roof.

Common phrases

  • monter au grenier

    go up to the attic

  • descendre du grenier

    go down from the attic

Similar words

combles: The upper space formed beneath a building's roof, varying in size and shape.
mansarde: A habitable attic room built into a sloping roof.
débarras: A small indoor room for storing unused things and cleaning equipment.
cave: A basement space used to store belongings or preserve wine.

Definition in French

Partie supérieure d'un bâtiment, située sous la charpente, utilisée surtout pour entreposer des affaires et rarement aménagée en pièce de vie.

Word origin

Its Latin source granarium meant a grain store, and Old French extended the word to the storage area beneath a roof.

Usage tips

  • Grenier aménagé means a converted attic, while grenier alone normally suggests storage rather than a regular living room.

Other meanings

  • granarynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word