French Conversation · Level 46
74 words
French word
osciller
Pronunciation
IPA/osije/
Meaning
- verbsway
Example
La lampe oscille quand je marche dans la pièce.
The lamp sways when I walk around the room.
More examples
Il oscille entre deux idées avant de répondre.
He oscillates between two ideas before answering.
Core concept
A small object swings repeatedly around a fixed center, while a state shifts back and forth between two sides.
Common phrases
osciller entre deux idées
oscillate between two ideas
faire osciller
make ___ oscillate
Similar words
hésiter: To be unsure whether to act or speak.
vaciller: To wobble and lose balance.
se balancer: To swing slowly from side to side while suspended.
trembler: To shake slightly from cold or fear.
Definition in French
Se mouvoir par de légers allers-retours ou vibrations autour d'un point fixe; par extension, se balancer entre deux états.
Word origin
French borrowed osciller from Latin oscillare, a verb meaning 'to swing or move back and forth'.
Usage tips
- For everyday human indecision, French usually prefers hésiter, while osciller entre deux options gives a more formal or analytical tone.
Other meanings
- vibrateverb
- wobbleverb
Opposites
- se stabiliserstabilizeverb
Related words
- oscillationoscillationnoun
- oscillantoscillatingadjective