French word

rouiller

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁuje/

Meaning

  • verbrust

Example

Les outils oubliés ont rouillé dans le garage.

The forgotten tools rusted in the garage.

Illustration for rouiller (rust)

More examples

Le vélo laissé dehors s'est rapidement rouillé.

The bike left outside quickly rusted.

Core concept

Rust spreading across metal until its original shine and reliable function begin to disappear.

Common phrases

  • rouiller dans l'humidité

    rust in damp conditions

  • faire rouiller

    make ___ rust

  • rouiller à l'air libre

    rust in the open air

Similar words

s'oxyder: React with oxygen, altering a metal's surface color or properties.
tarnir: Lose surface shine and become dull through a chemical reaction.

Definition in French

Provoquer ou subir la formation de rouille sur une surface métallique.

Word origin

The verb rouiller was formed from Old French rouille, 'rust', inherited from Latin rubigo, a word associated with red coloration.

Usage tips

  • The causative construction faire rouiller means to cause something to rust, while rouiller alone usually describes the metal's condition.

Other meanings

  • corrodeverb
  • grow rustyverb

Opposites

  • dérouillerremove rust from ___verb

Related words

  • rouillerustnoun
  • rouillérustyadjective

Word lists with this word