French word

olympique

Pronunciation

IPA/olɛ̃pik/

Meaning

  • adjectiveOlympic

Example

C'est une cérémonie olympique.

It is an Olympic ceremony.

Illustration for olympique (Olympic)

More examples

La flamme olympique a traversé la ville.

The Olympic flame traveled across the city.

Core concept

Something connected with the Olympic tradition, from a highly organized competition to its solemn opening ceremony.

Common phrases

  • les Jeux olympiques

    Olympic Games

  • la flamme olympique

    Olympic flame

  • le comité olympique

    Olympic committee

  • esprit olympique

    Olympic spirit

Similar words

international: Involving several countries or regions.
national: Concerned with an entire country.
officiel: Connected with public authority or formal procedures.
grand: Large in scale or importance.

Definition in French

S'emploie pour qualifier une manifestation, une cérémonie ou un objet lié à l'organisation ou à l'esprit des Jeux olympiques.

Word origin

The adjective olympique entered French through Latin from Greek, whose Olympikos referred to Olympia, the site of the ancient games.

Usage tips

  • Outside sports, olympique can describe something grand or solemn, so context distinguishes a literal Olympic reference from a figurative one.

Related words

  • olympienOlympiannoun
  • olympiadeOlympiadnoun

Word lists with this word