French word

réveil

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁevɛj/

Meaning

  • masculine nounalarm clock

Example

Le réveil a sonné à sept heures.

The alarm clock went off at seven o'clock.

Illustration for réveil (alarm clock)

More examples

Je dois mettre mon réveil pour demain matin.

I have to set my alarm for tomorrow morning.

Core concept

A waking signal links a chosen time with the sound or vibration that prompts getting up.

Common phrases

  • mettre le réveil

    set the alarm clock

  • éteindre le réveil

    turn off the alarm clock

Similar words

réveil-matin: A small clock set before bedtime to ring at a chosen waking time.
alarme: A sound that rings to warn of danger or call for attention.
horloge: A clock designed to display the time on a table or wall.

Definition in French

Signal ou dispositif qui indique, par un son ou une vibration à l'heure réglée, le moment du réveil.

Word origin

The noun réveil developed from the verb réveiller through Old French reveil, preserving the idea of being roused from sleep.

Usage tips

  • In Le réveil a sonné, réveil normally means the alarm device or its signal, while context can also make it mean waking itself.

Other meanings

  • awakeningnoun
  • getting upnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • réveillerwakeverb
  • réveilléawakeadjective
  • réveil-matinalarm clocknoun

Word lists with this word