French word

intervalle

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃tɛʁval/

Meaning

  • masculine nouninterval

Example

Il y a un intervalle de dix minutes entre les trains.

There is a ten-minute interval between the trains.

Illustration for intervalle (interval)

More examples

L'intervalle entre do et sol est une quinte.

The interval between do and sol is a fifth.

Core concept

An empty span between two endpoints, measured in space, time, numbers, or musical pitch.

Common phrases

  • un intervalle de temps

    a time interval

  • un intervalle de sécurité

    a safety gap

  • laisser un intervalle

    leave a gap

Similar words

créneau: An available time slot in a schedule or timetable.
pause: A short break in work or conversation.
durée: The length of time that an event or state continues.
écart: The difference or displacement between two values or positions.

Definition in French

Espace ou durée qui sépare deux points, deux événements ou deux valeurs, y compris en musique la distance entre deux hauteurs sonores.

Word origin

French intervalle comes from Latin intervallum, formed from inter, 'between', and vallum, 'rampart', for the space between defensive barriers.

Usage tips

  • Intervalle is masculine: un intervalle and des intervalles; its final e is silent in pronunciation.

Opposites

Word lists with this word