French Conversation · Level 102
60 words
French word
prétexte
Pronunciation
IPA/pʁetɛkst/
Meaning
- masculine nounexcuse
Example
Ne cherche pas de prétexte, dis la vérité.
Don't look for an excuse; tell the truth.
More examples
Il a pris prétexte de la pluie pour annuler la réunion.
He used the rain as a pretext for canceling the meeting.
Core concept
A convenient outward explanation masking the reason that actually drives an action.
Common phrases
prendre prétexte de
use ___ as a pretext
sous prétexte de
on the pretext of ___
Similar words
raison: The immediate reason or cause for an event or action.
excuse: A justification or apology offered for one's own conduct.
motif: The motivation or reasoning underlying an action or decision.
alibi: Evidence or an account showing that someone was elsewhere at the relevant time.
Definition in French
Raison fournie de façon superficielle pour expliquer un comportement, servant souvent à éviter d'avouer le motif réel.
Word origin
Prétexte derives from Latin praetextus, formed from praetexere, whose sense of covering or concealing led to the modern figurative meaning.
Usage tips
- Prétexte usually suggests a deceptive cover, whereas excuse can also mean a genuine justification or an apology.
Other meanings
- pretextnoun
Opposites
- sincéritésinceritynoun
- justificationjustificationnoun
Related words
- prétextercite as a pretextverb