French word

mec

Pronunciation

IPA/mɛk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounboyfriend

Example

Mon mec est gentil.

My boyfriend is nice.

Illustration for mec (boyfriend)

More examples

Son mec est parti sans prévenir.

Her boyfriend left without warning.

Core concept

A casual male figure pointed out in conversation, whose relationship to the speaker depends on the surrounding words.

Common phrases

  • mon mec

    my boyfriend

  • un mec

    a guy

Similar words

petit ami: The usual standard term for a boyfriend.
copain: A familiar term for a boyfriend.
homme: A neutral word for an adult man.
gars: A colloquial word for a man or guy.

Definition in French

Désigne un homme ou un type ; en conversation, « mon mec » est souvent employé pour dire « mon petit ami ».

Word origin

French slang gave mec its established informal use for a man, but no earlier origin is certain enough to state.

Usage tips

  • Mec is informal and can sound blunt or mildly dismissive when it means 'guy', depending on context and tone.

Other meanings

  • guynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word