French word

propreté

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁɔpʁəte/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncleanliness

Example

Il est important de conserver la propreté de ses vêtements.

It is important to maintain the cleanliness of one's clothes.

Illustration for propreté (cleanliness)

More examples

Avant de manger, il faut se laver les mains pour assurer la propreté.

Before eating, you need to wash your hands to ensure cleanliness.

Core concept

A visible state in which dirt is removed and everyday hygiene is maintained.

Common phrases

  • la propreté des mains

    cleanliness of the hands

  • la propreté publique

    public cleanliness

  • maintenir la propreté

    maintain cleanliness

Similar words

hygiène: Practices and conditions that help prevent illness through cleanliness.
saleté: The presence of dirt or grime on a surface.
ordre: A tidy state in which things are arranged and not scattered.
entretien: Regular care that preserves the condition of things or places.

Definition in French

Indique l'absence de saleté et un état hygiénique satisfaisant pour un lieu, un objet ou une personne.

Word origin

The noun propreté derives from propre plus -té; propre descends from Latin proprius and acquired its cleanliness sense alongside older meanings such as suitable or orderly.

Usage tips

  • English proper does not mean clean, whereas French propre can mean clean in contexts such as des vêtements propres.

Opposites

  • saletédirtnoun
  • impropretéuncleanlinessnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word