French word

prétention

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁetɑ̃sjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine noundemand

Example

Les prétentions salariales ont été revues à la hausse.

The salary demands were revised upward.

Illustration for prétention (demand)

More examples

Il a révisé ses prétentions à la baisse.

He revised his demands downward.

Core concept

A claim placed before another party as a requested sum or condition.

Common phrases

  • prétentions salariales

    salary demands

Similar words

demande: A request for money, goods, or an action from another person.
exigence: A requirement that must be met or is strongly demanded.

Definition in French

Réclamation ou revendication de ce que l'on estime devoir recevoir, souvent utilisée pour indiquer une somme demandée.

Word origin

The noun developed from Latin praetensio through the verb praetendere, whose sense included putting forward a claim.

Usage tips

  • English pretension is a false friend here, since French prétention can name a financial or contractual demand.

Opposites

Related words

  • prétentieuxpretentiousadjective
  • prétentieusementpretentiouslyadverb

Word lists with this word