French word

sinistré

Pronunciation

IPA/sinistʁe/

Meaning

  • masculine noundisaster victim

Example

Après le séisme, les sinistrés attendaient des secours.

After the earthquake, the disaster victims waited for aid.

Illustration for sinistré (disaster victim)

More examples

Les sinistrés ont trouvé un abri dans le gymnase municipal.

The disaster victims found shelter in the municipal gymnasium.

Core concept

A person or household standing beside a damaged home and waiting for help to rebuild daily life.

Common phrases

  • aide aux sinistrés

    aid for disaster victims

  • centre d'accueil pour les sinistrés

    reception center for disaster victims

Similar words

victime: A person harmed by an accident, disaster, or other event.
déplacé: A person who lost a home and now lives elsewhere.
rescapé: A person who survived an accident or disaster.

Definition in French

Personne ou foyer affecté par un sinistre causant des pertes matérielles et nécessitant une aide pour se relever.

Word origin

French sinistré comes from sinistrer, derived from sinistre, which ultimately comes from Latin sinister, meaning left and later associated with bad luck.

Usage tips

  • In formal news and administrative French, sinistré is common, while everyday speech often uses victime or personne touchée instead.

Related words

  • sinistredisasternoun
  • sinistrerdevastateverb

Word lists with this word