French Conversation · Level 157
30 words
French word
replier
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁəplije/
Meaning
- verbfold
Example
Il a replié la carte en deux.
He folded the map in half.
More examples
Elle a replié les manches de sa chemise.
She folded back the sleeves of her shirt.
Core concept
A flat object folded back onto itself so its layers overlap and it takes up less space.
Common phrases
replier les manches
fold back the sleeves
replier le journal
fold up the newspaper
replier une lettre
fold a letter
Similar words
plier: To fold paper or fabric over itself into a smaller shape.
refermer: To close something open by folding its pages or lid inward.
Definition in French
Plier une partie d'un objet sur elle-même pour réduire sa taille ou le ranger.
Word origin
French replier combines re- with plier, a verb descended through Old French from Latin plicare, giving the sense of folding back or folding again.
Usage tips
- With a person as subject, se replier can mean to retreat or withdraw, so the pronominal form is not limited to physical folding.
Other meanings
- fold backverb
Opposites
- déplierunfoldverb
Related words
- repliéfolded backadjective
- repliementfolding backnoun