French word

refermer

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁəfɛʁme/

Meaning

  • verbclose again

Example

Peux-tu refermer la porte, s'il te plaît ?

Can you close the door again, please?

Illustration for refermer (close again)

More examples

Je vais refermer la fenêtre parce qu'il pleut.

I am going to close the window again because it is raining.

Core concept

An opening is sealed again, or a person folds inward and becomes harder to approach.

Common phrases

  • refermer la porte

    close the door again

  • refermer la fenêtre

    close the window again

  • refermer le livre

    close the book again

Similar words

fermer: Shut a door, box, or book and leave it in a closed state.
verrouiller: Fasten a door or container so that it cannot be opened.
boucher: Plug an opening or seal a container to prevent air or contents from escaping.

Definition in French

Remettre fermé un objet précédemment ouvert (porte, livre, etc.), et s'emploie réfléchi pour signifier qu'une personne devient plus réservée.

Word origin

Refermer is a prefixed formation built from fermer with re-, a productive element that indicates a repeated action.

Usage tips

  • In the reflexive form se refermer, the subject can be a person who becomes reserved, not only an object that closes again.

Opposites

Related words

  • referméclosed againadjective
  • refermablereclosableadjective

Word lists with this word