French word

os

Pronunciation

IPA/ɔs/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbone

Example

Le chien a cassé un os.

The dog broke a bone.

Illustration for os (bone)

More examples

Il s'est cassé un os en tombant.

He broke a bone when he fell.

Core concept

A pale, rigid support running through the body and forming a protective structure around vital organs.

Common phrases

  • se casser un os

    break a bone

  • un os cassé

    a broken bone

Similar words

squelette: The body's full supporting structure, formed by bones joined together.
arête: A small, slender bone in fish or bone-in food that can be dangerous to swallow.
côte: A curved bone along the side of the chest that protects the organs inside.

Definition in French

Tissu dur et calcifié à l'intérieur du corps qui forme le squelette, soutient les muscles et protège les organes.

Word origin

The French noun os continues Latin os, ossis after development through Old French, with the same central anatomical sense.

Usage tips

  • The final s is pronounced in the singular, as in un os, but the plural os is usually pronounced like the vowel in 'oh'.

Opposites

Related words

  • ossatureskeletonnoun

Word lists with this word