French word

ongle

Pronunciation

IPA/ɔ̃gl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounnail

Example

Tes ongles sont beaux.

Your nails are beautiful.

Illustration for ongle (nail)

More examples

Il se ronge les ongles quand il est stressé.

He bites his nails when he is stressed.

Core concept

A small, steadily growing hard plate at the end of a finger or toe, shielding the tip and helping it handle objects.

Common phrases

  • se ronger les ongles

    bite one's nails

  • limer les ongles

    file one's nails

  • huile pour les ongles

    nail oil

Similar words

doigt: A slender part at the end of the hand used for touching and grasping.
vernis: A liquid applied to nails to add color or shine.

Definition in French

Partie cornée, mince et dure au bord des doigts ou des orteils, qui pousse progressivement et permet des gestes précis tout en protégeant l'extrémité.

Word origin

French ongle comes through Old French from Latin ungula, meaning a claw, hoof, or nail.

Usage tips

  • Ongle is masculine, so the singular uses un ongle and the plural uses des ongles; the final s is silent.

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