French word

phare

Pronunciation

IPA/faʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounheadlight

Example

N'oublie pas d'allumer les phares ce soir.

Don't forget to switch on the headlights this evening.

Illustration for phare (headlight)

More examples

Il roulait avec les pleins phares et a gêné les autres conducteurs.

He was driving with his high beams on and inconvenienced the other drivers.

Core concept

A bright beacon placed where its signal matters, from a road ahead to a celebrated project or product.

Common phrases

  • les pleins phares

    high beams

  • phare avant

    front headlight

Similar words

feu: A signal light on a vehicle or road showing position or progress.
lampe: A small battery-powered or electric lamp for portable or indoor use.
lumière: Light as a physical phenomenon or as perceived brightness.

Definition in French

Source de lumière destinée à signaler ou guider une zone, comme les phares d'un véhicule ou la tour maritime, et par analogie quelque chose de majeur ou emblématique.

Word origin

The word was borrowed from Greek Pharos through Latin pharus into French, first referring to a lighthouse before acquiring automotive and figurative meanings.

Usage tips

  • In phrases such as projet phare and produit phare, phare means flagship or especially prominent, not a literal lighthouse.

Other meanings

  • lighthousenoun
  • flagshipadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word