French word

poignet

Pronunciation

IPA/pwaɲɛ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwrist

Example

Le médecin a examiné mon poignet.

The doctor examined my wrist.

Illustration for poignet (wrist)

More examples

Je me suis foulé le poignet en tombant.

I sprained my wrist when I fell.

Core concept

The joint where the hand meets the forearm, marked by a watch or a pulse check.

Common phrases

  • se fouler le poignet

    sprain one's wrist

  • douleur au poignet

    wrist pain

  • montre au poignet

    wristwatch

Similar words

main: The end of the arm, including the fingers, used for grasping and handling objects.
poignée: A handle or grip designed for holding an object.

Definition in French

Zone charnière au bas du bras, souvent utilisée pour prendre le pouls ou pour porter une montre et des bracelets.

Word origin

French poignet developed from Old French poing with the diminutive suffix -et; poing ultimately comes from Latin pugnus, meaning 'fist'.

Usage tips

  • Poignet is masculine, so standard phrases use le poignet and au poignet; its final t is silent.

Word lists with this word