French word

nonne

Pronunciation

IPA/nɔn/

Meaning

  • feminine nounnun

Example

Je vois une nonne dans la rue.

I see a nun in the street.

Illustration for nonne (nun)

More examples

La nonne donne des cours de catéchisme.

The nun teaches catechism classes.

Core concept

A vowed woman whose daily life centers on prayer and shared life in a religious house.

Common phrases

  • une nonne

    a nun

  • la nonne

    the nun

  • une nonne en habit

    a nun in a religious habit

Similar words

religieuse: A female religious who carries out religious duties in a convent.
sœur: A respectful title used when addressing an individual nun.

Definition in French

Femme qui a prononcé des vœux religieux et qui vit dans une communauté religieuse.

Word origin

French nonne developed from medieval Latin nonna through Old French, while English nun belongs to the same historical word family.

Usage tips

  • In religious contexts, sœur can serve as a title or form of address, whereas nonne is the ordinary descriptive noun.

Opposites

Word lists with this word