French word

qui-vive

Pronunciation

IPA/kiviv/

Meaning

  • masculine nounalertness

Example

Restez sur le qui-vive.

Stay on the alert.

Illustration for qui-vive (alertness)

More examples

La nouvelle a mis tout le monde sur le qui-vive.

The news put everyone on alert.

Core concept

A watchful guard poised to notice danger or a sudden change and respond at once.

Common phrases

  • mettre quelqu'un sur le qui-vive

    put someone on alert

  • être sur le qui-vive

    be on the alert

Similar words

attention: Careful attention to details and changes so that nothing is missed.
vigilance: Sustained watchfulness that helps detect anything unusual.
prudence: Careful behavior intended to avoid danger or mistakes.

Definition in French

État d'attention soutenue pour repérer un danger ou un changement et être prêt à réagir.

Word origin

French formed qui-vive from the sentry's call "Qui vive ?", which was used to challenge an approaching person before becoming an alertness noun.

Usage tips

  • Qui-vive is masculine, so standard usage has le qui-vive and être sur le qui-vive.

Opposites

Word lists with this word