French word

parasol

Pronunciation

IPA/paʁasɔl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsunshade

Example

Ce parasol protège bien du soleil.

This sunshade provides good protection from the sun.

Illustration for parasol (sunshade)

More examples

Avant de s'asseoir, elle a ouvert le parasol.

Before sitting down, she opened the parasol.

Core concept

A portable fabric canopy stretched over ribs to cast shade from above.

Common phrases

  • ouvrir le parasol

    open the parasol

  • fermer le parasol

    close the parasol

  • un parasol pliant

    a folding parasol

Similar words

parapluie: A handheld umbrella used to keep rain off.
ombrelle: A small handheld umbrella used to create shade.
store: A retractable fabric awning mounted outside a window or terrace.
auvent: A small roof-like projection over an entrance or window for shade or shelter.

Definition in French

Couverture portative montée sur une armature que l'on ouvre pour se protéger du soleil.

Word origin

French parasol comes from Italian parasole, formed from para- meaning 'protect' and sole meaning 'sun'.

Usage tips

  • Parasol is masculine, so standard forms are un parasol and ce parasol.

Other meanings

  • sun umbrellanoun
  • beach umbrellanoun

Word lists with this word