French word

pince

Pronunciation

IPA/pɛ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpliers

Example

J'ai besoin d'une pince pour couper ce fil.

I need pliers to cut this wire.

Illustration for pince (pliers)

More examples

Elle a accroché des chaussettes avec une pince à linge.

She hung socks using a clothespin.

Core concept

A hinged two-armed tool whose jaws meet to grip, bend, or cut when pressure is applied.

Common phrases

  • pince à épiler

    tweezers

  • pince à linge

    clothespin

  • pince coupante

    cutting pliers

Similar words

pince à épiler: A small tool for plucking hairs or picking up tiny objects one at a time.
pince à linge: A small clip for holding laundry on a clothesline.
pince coupante: A tool with sharp jaws for cutting wire or other thin materials.

Definition in French

Désigne un outil constitué de deux branches articulées qui sert à saisir, tenir, plier ou couper des objets en appliquant une pression.

Word origin

Pince is a deverbal noun formed from French pincer, with the tool name referring to an instrument that grips or pinches.

Usage tips

  • Pince is feminine, so its usual singular article is une, as in une pince.

Other meanings

  • tweezersnoun
  • clothespinnoun

Related words

  • pincerpinchverb
  • pincementpinchingnoun

Word lists with this word