French word

nouveau

Pronunciation

IPA/nuvo/

Meaning

  • adjectivenew

Example

Il y a un nouveau café près de chez moi.

There is a new cafe near my home.

Illustration for nouveau (new)

More examples

J'ai un nouveau manteau.

I have a new coat.

Core concept

A fresh addition that stands out because it has only recently appeared or entered use.

Common phrases

  • nouveau film

    new film

  • nouveau sac

    new bag

  • nouveau voisin

    new neighbor

Similar words

neuf: Never used and still completely new.
récent: Dating from a recent time or happening not long ago.
moderne: Reflecting current styles, ideas, or design.

Definition in French

Qualifie ce qui est récent, inédit ou introduit pour la première fois.

Word origin

French nouveau comes through Old French from Latin novellus, which is related to novus, the Latin word for new.

Usage tips

  • Before a vowel or mute h in masculine singular, nouveau becomes nouvel, as in un nouvel hôtel.

Other meanings

  • noveladjective
  • newfangledadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word