French Conversation · Level 130
46 words
French word
pourvoir
Pronunciation
IPA/puʁvwaʁ/
Meaning
- verbprovide for
Example
Elle doit pourvoir aux besoins de sa famille.
She must provide for her family's needs.
More examples
L'association pourvoit les familles défavorisées en nourriture.
The organization provides disadvantaged families with food.
Core concept
A missing resource is supplied or arranged so a need can be met.
Common phrases
pourvoir à ses besoins
provide for one's needs
pourvoir quelqu'un de quelque chose
supply someone with something
Similar words
fournir: Provide goods or services to someone.
assurer: Ensure that needs are met through reliable planning or management.
subvenir: Provide financial support for essential living needs.
procurer: Obtain and prepare something needed for another person.
Definition in French
Pourvoir à quelque chose : mettre à disposition ou garantir les moyens nécessaires pour satisfaire un besoin.
Word origin
French pourvoir comes through Old French porveoir from Latin providere, 'to foresee', and developed the sense of providing what is needed.
Usage tips
- For the sense of meeting a need, use pourvoir à + noun, with à aux before a plural noun such as besoins.