French Conversation · Level 66
60 words
French word
ravage
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁavaʒ/
Meaning
- masculine noundevastation
Example
Le ravage causé par l'incendie est visible de loin.
The devastation caused by the fire is visible from afar.
More examples
La tempête a fait de grands ravages sur la côte.
The storm caused extensive damage along the coast.
Core concept
A landscape or community marked by widespread damage and lasting loss.
Common phrases
faire des ravages
cause extensive damage
les ravages de la guerre
the devastation of war
Similar words
dégât: Physical damage to an object or building.
dommage: Harm or loss caused to a person or thing.
Definition in French
Destruction étendue et durable d'un lieu, de biens ou de l'environnement entraînant une perte importante.
Word origin
The noun ravage formed from Old French ravager, 'to devastate', with the suffix -age, and the verb traces to Latin rapere, 'to seize or carry off'.
Usage tips
- Ravage is masculine, so the singular form is un ravage and the plural form is des ravages.
Other meanings
- damagenoun
- destructionnoun
Opposites
- restaurationrestorationnoun
- préservationpreservationnoun
Related words
- ravagerdevastateverb
- ravagédevastatedadjective