French word

rançon

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁɑ̃sɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounransom

Example

Ils ont exigé une rançon pour la libération de l'otage.

They demanded a ransom for the hostage's liberation.

Illustration for rançon (ransom)

More examples

Il a payé une rançon pour récupérer son chien.

He paid a ransom to get his dog back.

Core concept

A payment demanded to release someone, extending to any harsh price demanded for a desired result.

Common phrases

  • exiger une rançon

    demand a ransom

  • payer une rançon

    pay a ransom

Similar words

somme: A total amount of money.
paiement: Money handed over as payment.
prix: Money paid for a product or service.
récompense: Money given as a reward for an action or information.

Definition in French

Somme d'argent exigée pour obtenir la libération d'une personne enlevée ; au sens figuré, somme exigée comme prix à payer pour obtenir quelque chose.

Word origin

The Old French form rançon developed from Late Latin redemptio, while English borrowed the related Old French form as ransom.

Usage tips

  • The figurative pattern is commonly rançon de plus a noun, as in la rançon de la gloire, meaning the price or cost of glory.

Related words

  • rançonnerextortverb
  • rançonnageextortionnoun

Word lists with this word