French word

lieutenant

Pronunciation

IPA/ljøtənɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlieutenant

Example

Je parlerai au lieutenant demain.

I will talk to the lieutenant tomorrow.

Illustration for lieutenant (lieutenant)

More examples

Les soldats obéissent au lieutenant.

The soldiers obey the lieutenant.

Core concept

An officer holding a superior's delegated place in a military, naval, or police chain of command.

Common phrases

  • parler au lieutenant

    speak to the lieutenant

  • voir le lieutenant

    see the lieutenant

  • obéir au lieutenant

    obey the lieutenant

Similar words

officier: An official with authority to command or manage in the military or police.
capitaine: An officer who often directly leads a small unit or department.
policier: A police officer who maintains public safety in streets and local areas.

Definition in French

Grade placé entre le sous-lieutenant et le capitaine, employé aussi dans la marine et la police.

Word origin

French lieutenant comes from Old French lieu tenant, based on Latin locum tenens, meaning a person who holds another person's place.

Usage tips

  • The masculine article is le lieutenant, while contemporary French also uses lieutenante for a woman in this role.

Related words

  • sous-lieutenantsecond lieutenantnoun
  • lieutenant-colonellieutenant colonelnoun

Word lists with this word