French word

outre-mer

Pronunciation

IPA/utʁəmɛʁ/

Meaning

  • adverboverseas

Example

Il travaille outre-mer depuis cinq ans.

He has been working overseas for five years.

Illustration for outre-mer (overseas)

More examples

Ma sœur vit outre-mer depuis deux ans.

My sister has been living overseas for two years.

Core concept

An overseas region viewed as part of a wider country across the sea.

Common phrases

  • partir outre-mer

    go overseas

  • vivre outre-mer

    live overseas

Similar words

à l'étranger: Abroad, in a country or place outside one's own.
dans un autre pays: In a country different from one's own.
hors du pays: Beyond the territory of one's country.

Definition in French

S'emploie pour situer quelque chose dans un pays ou une région de l'autre côté de la mer, souvent dans un registre formel.

Word origin

The compound outre-mer joins outre, inherited from Latin ultra, with mer, inherited from Latin mare.

Usage tips

  • Outre-mer has a formal geographic or administrative tone, while à l'étranger often suits the simpler meaning abroad.

Opposites

  • localementlocallyadverb

Word lists with this word