French word

palme

Pronunciation

IPA/palm/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpalm leaf

Example

La palme du palmier est sèche.

The palm leaf is dry.

Illustration for palme (palm leaf)

More examples

Ils ont étalé une natte de palmes pour s'asseoir.

They spread out a palm-leaf mat to sit on.

Core concept

The palm's leafy crown includes broad, segmented fronds that cast shade like natural fans.

Common phrases

  • feuille de palme

    palm leaf

  • natte de palmes

    palm-leaf mat

  • palme séchée

    dried palm leaf

Similar words

feuille: The thin, flat part of a plant that is generally called a leaf.
palmier: A tall woody plant belonging to the palm family.
prix: An award, title, or reward given for achievement or distinction.

Definition in French

Partie feuillée du palmier, généralement composée de segments disposés en éventail ou en plume et servant d'ombre ou d'ornement.

Word origin

French palme inherits Latin palma through Old French, and its meaning developed from the hand's palm to the leaf of the palm tree.

Usage tips

  • In diving contexts, les palmes means swim fins, so the plural can refer to equipment rather than palm leaves.

Other meanings

  • flippernoun
  • webbingnoun

Related words

  • palmierpalm treenoun
  • palmeraiepalm grovenoun

Word lists with this word