French word

parallèle

Pronunciation

IPA/paʁalɛl/

Meaning

  • adjectiveparallel

Example

Ces lignes sont parallèles.

These lines are parallel.

Illustration for parallèle (parallel)

More examples

Les boulevards sont parallèles l'un à l'autre.

The boulevards are parallel to each other.

Core concept

Two lines keep the same direction and spacing without meeting; similar situations can run alongside each other.

Common phrases

  • deux droites parallèles

    two parallel lines

  • parallèle à

    parallel to

Similar words

similaire: Like something else in appearance or nature.
semblable: Much alike in overall characteristics.
comparable: Suitable for comparison because similarities or differences can be identified.

Definition in French

Qui, pour des lignes ou des plans, conserve une orientation identique sans se rejoindre, et s'emploie aussi au sens figuré pour des situations similaires.

Word origin

Parallèle entered French through Latin parallelus from Greek parallēlos, built from elements meaning 'beside' and 'one another'.

Usage tips

  • In faire un parallèle entre A et B, parallèle means a comparison, while en parallèle commonly means at the same time.

Other meanings

  • parallel linenoun

Opposites

  • perpendiculaireperpendicularadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word