French word

lavage

Pronunciation

IPA/lavaʒ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwashing

Example

Le lavage des mains est important avant de manger.

Washing your hands is important before eating.

Illustration for lavage (washing)

More examples

Le lavage des légumes est indispensable avant la cuisson.

Washing vegetables is essential before cooking.

Core concept

A washing process carries dirt away from hands, objects, or surfaces and can also denote the cleaned state afterward.

Common phrases

  • lavage du linge

    laundry washing

  • lavage en machine

    machine washing

  • lavage des légumes

    washing vegetables

Similar words

nettoyage: Removing dirt from floors or desks by wiping or cleaning them.
lessive: Washing clothes or other fabrics with laundry detergent.
toilette: Washing the face or body with water or soap to stay clean.

Definition in French

Mot pour l'action de laver quelque chose avec de l'eau ou un produit, et parfois pour le nettoyage obtenu après cette opération (par ex. lavage des mains).

Word origin

Lavage is formed from the French verb laver with -age, while laver ultimately comes from Latin lavare.

Usage tips

  • Lavage is masculine, so standard phrases include un lavage and le lavage des mains.

Other meanings

  • launderingnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word