French Conversation · Level 16
89 words
French word
ombre
Pronunciation
IPA/ɔ̃bʁ/
Meaning
- feminine nounshade
Example
En été, je cherche de l'ombre.
In summer, I look for shade.
More examples
L'enfant joue à l'ombre du grand platane.
The child plays in the shade of the large plane tree.
Core concept
A cool, dim refuge beside a sunlit area, or the dark shape cast when light is blocked.
Common phrases
à l'ombre
in the shade
à l'ombre d'un arbre
in the shade of a tree
faire de l'ombre à
overshadow ___
Similar words
obscurité: A state or place of complete darkness caused by the absence of light.
pénombre: A place or state with only weak light, creating a dim appearance.
Definition in French
Zone où la lumière est partiellement ou totalement empêchée par un objet, créant une surface plus sombre et souvent un coin frais à l'abri du soleil.
Word origin
French ombre inherited its form from Latin umbra through Old French, retaining the basic idea of darkness caused by blocked light.
Usage tips
- In faire de l'ombre à quelqu'un, ombre is figurative and means taking attention away from someone or overshadowing them.