French Conversation · Level 123
59 words
French word
proie
Pronunciation
IPA/pʁwa/
Meaning
- feminine nounprey
Example
La lionne a attrapé sa proie.
The lioness caught its prey.
More examples
Il est tombé en proie à la panique.
He fell prey to panic.
Core concept
A target seized by a predator or overwhelmed by a powerful force.
Common phrases
tomber en proie à
fall prey to
être la proie de
be prey to
Similar words
victime: A person or thing harmed by an event or another party.
cible: A person or thing targeted by an action or attack.
prise: An animal or object that has been captured.
Definition in French
Ce qui est pris ou subi par un prédateur, une force ou une émotion ; par extension, la personne ou l'animal qui en est victime.
Word origin
French proie comes through Old French from Latin praeda, meaning booty or plunder, whose sense developed toward hunted prey and a victim.
Usage tips
- Proie is feminine, so the usual form is une proie even when it refers to a male person or animal.