French Conversation · Level 123
59 words
French word
mâtiner
Pronunciation
IPA/matine/
Meaning
- verbseason
Example
Il mâtine sa critique d'humour.
He seasons his criticism with humor.
More examples
Elle aime mâtiner ses récits d'une pointe d'humour.
She likes to imbue her stories with a touch of humor.
Core concept
A light tint brushed into an existing tone or style.
Common phrases
mâtiner d'ironie
imbue ___ with irony
mâtiner de sarcasme
imbue ___ with sarcasm
Similar words
teinter: To change an overall impression by adding a small amount of color or another quality.
nuancer: To alter an expression or opinion by introducing fine shades of meaning.
Definition in French
Donner à quelque chose une légère qualité ou une touche d'une autre chose, de façon à modifier subtilement son ton ou son apparence.
Word origin
The verb mâtiner developed from the adjective mâtiné, used in Middle French for something mixed with or tinged by another quality.
Usage tips
- Mâtiner usually takes a direct object followed by de for the added quality, as in mâtiner une critique d'humour.
Other meanings
- mixverb
- tintverb
Opposites
- décolorerbleachverb
Related words
- mâtinétingedadjective
- mâtinageblendingnoun