French word

seconde

Pronunciation

IPA/səgɔ̃d/

Meaning

  • feminine nounsecond

Example

Attends une seconde, s'il te plaît.

Wait a second, please.

Illustration for seconde (second)

More examples

En une seconde, il a pris sa décision.

In one second, he made his decision.

Core concept

A very short measured slice that can also be the next place in an ordered line.

Common phrases

  • en une seconde

    in one second

  • quelques secondes

    a few seconds

Similar words

instant: A very brief instant that ends almost as soon as it begins.
moment: A short stretch of time lasting for a little while.
minute: A unit of time equal to one-sixtieth of an hour.

Definition in French

Désigne un très bref intervalle de temps, égal à la soixantième d'une minute; il peut aussi signifier la deuxième place.

Word origin

The time sense of seconde reflects Latin secunda, from secundus "following," in the expression secunda pars minuta for a second small division.

Usage tips

  • In Attends une seconde, the phrase usually requests a brief pause rather than an exactly measured second.

Other meanings

  • momentnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word