French word

intrigue

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃tʁig/

Meaning

  • feminine nounplot

Example

Peux-tu me raconter l'intrigue du film ?

Can you tell me the plot of the movie?

Illustration for intrigue (plot)

More examples

L'intrigue du roman est facile à suivre.

The plot of the novel is easy to follow.

Core concept

An interwoven chain of events that can also suggest a hidden scheme.

Common phrases

  • l'intrigue du film

    the plot of the movie

  • suivre l'intrigue

    follow the plot

Similar words

histoire: A single account of events or experiences arranged in sequence.
scénario: A script for film or theater with ordered scenes and written dialogue.
récit: A spoken or written narrative that conveys events in order.
trame: The general framework and progression of a story.

Definition in French

Disposition et enchaînement des événements qui constituent la trame d'une histoire ; sens secondaire : machination ou conspiration.

Word origin

French intrigue came through Italian intrigo from Latin intricare, meaning 'to entangle', linking the senses of a woven story and a secret scheme.

Usage tips

  • In French, intrigue is feminine: une intrigue, not un intrigue.

Other meanings

  • conspiracynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • intriguerintrigueverb
  • intriguantintriguingadjective
  • intriguéintriguedadjective

Word lists with this word