French word

pelle

Pronunciation

IPA/pɛl/

Meaning

  • feminine nounshovel

Example

J'utilise une pelle pour enlever la neige.

I use a shovel to clear the snow.

Illustration for pelle (shovel)

More examples

La femme range la pelle à poussière après avoir balayé.

The woman puts away the dustpan after sweeping.

Core concept

A handled scoop that gathers loose material and carries it from one place to another.

Common phrases

  • une pelle à poussière

    dustpan

  • une pelle à neige

    snow shovel

Similar words

bêche: A heavy tool with a thick blade for digging soil and cutting through clumps.
pelle à poussière: A small, flat shovel-shaped tool for collecting swept-up floor dirt.
pelle à neige: A wide, lightweight tool for scooping and clearing snow.

Definition in French

Outil de chantier ou de jardin constitué d'une lame creuse et d'un manche, servant à soulever, transporter ou tamiser des matériaux meubles comme la terre, le sable ou la neige.

Word origin

The French noun pelle developed from Latin pala through Old French, retaining the idea of a broad tool for scooping.

Usage tips

  • Pelle differs from bêche: a pelle mainly scoops and moves material, while a bêche mainly turns or breaks up soil.

Other meanings

  • dustpannoun

Related words

  • pelleteuseexcavatornoun
  • pelletéeshovelfulnoun

Word lists with this word