French word

marraine

Pronunciation

IPA/maʁɛn/

Meaning

  • feminine noungodmother

Example

Ma marraine m'a appelé hier pour prendre des nouvelles.

My godmother called me yesterday to ask how I was doing.

Illustration for marraine (godmother)

More examples

Je compte sur ma marraine pour me conseiller.

I count on my godmother to advise me.

Core concept

A woman who stands beside a child as a spiritual guide and lasting supporter.

Common phrases

  • compter sur sa marraine

    count on one's godmother

  • parler à sa marraine

    talk to one's godmother

  • inviter sa marraine

    invite one's godmother

Similar words

parrain: A man who serves as a child's godfather at baptism.

Definition in French

Femme choisie pour être la parente spirituelle d'un enfant lors du baptême et chargée de l'accompagner et de le soutenir.

Word origin

French marraine comes through Old French marraine from Latin matrina, a feminine form related to mater, meaning "mother".

Usage tips

  • Marraine is feminine, so standard phrases include une marraine and ma marraine; its final e is silent in pronunciation.

Other meanings

  • patronnoun
  • sponsornoun

Word lists with this word