French word

môme

Pronunciation

IPA/mom/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)kid

Example

Quel môme mignon !

What a cute kid!

Illustration for môme (kid)

More examples

Les mômes jouent dans la cour.

The kids are playing in the yard.

Core concept

A child whose behavior invites an affectionate or teasing reaction, depending on the speaker's voice and context.

Common phrases

  • les mômes

    the kids

  • un môme sage

    a well-behaved child

Similar words

enfant: A neutral, standard word for a child from early childhood through preadolescence.
gosse: A casual word for a child that may sound rough in some regions or situations.
gamin: A colloquial term for an active, mischievous child used in a friendly way.
marmot: A familiar colloquial term for a small child with a slightly old-fashioned tone.

Definition in French

Mot familier pour un gamin ou une fillette, surtout un petit enfant, employé à l'oral et portant souvent une nuance affectueuse voire taquine selon le ton.

Word origin

Môme developed as a colloquial French noun, while its earlier source remains uncertain and has no secure standard etymology.

Usage tips

  • The final e is silent, and môme is pronounced with one syllable, approximately /mɔm/, not like the English word home.

Opposites

Word lists with this word