French Conversation · Level 58
75 words
French word
polluer
Pronunciation
IPA/polɥe/
Meaning
- verbpollute
Example
Les usines polluent la rivière.
The factories pollute the river.
More examples
La fumée pollue l'air.
The smoke pollutes the air.
Core concept
Something harmful seeps into a shared environment and lowers its quality, literally or figuratively.
Common phrases
polluer l'air
pollute the air
polluer l'eau
pollute the water
polluer l'environnement
pollute the environment
Similar words
salir: To soil a surface or area with mud, rubbish, or other waste.
contaminer: To contaminate water or food with microbes or chemicals that threaten health.
Definition in French
Provoquer la détérioration ou l'impureté d'un milieu (air, eau, sol) par l'introduction d'éléments nocifs; verbe transitif.
Word origin
French inherited polluer from Latin polluere through Old French, and the same word family includes pollution and polluant.
Usage tips
- Polluer can be used figuratively for damaging a debate or atmosphere, but this use still suggests a harmful intrusion rather than simple disagreement.