French word

soleil

Pronunciation

IPA/solɛj/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsun

Example

Le soleil brille aujourd'hui.

The sun is shining today.

Illustration for soleil (sun)

More examples

Les enfants jouent en plein soleil.

The children are playing in full sun.

Core concept

The high natural light that spreads across the Earth by day and brings warmth.

Common phrases

  • les rayons du soleil

    the sun's rays

  • en plein soleil

    in full sun

  • lever du soleil

    sunrise

Similar words

étoile: A round heavenly body visible as a point of light at night.
lune: Earth's natural satellite, seen glowing in the night.
ciel: The expanse above the land where clouds and changing colors are seen.

Definition in French

Astre lumineux qui rend le jour visible et apporte chaleur à la Terre.

Word origin

Soleil developed from Latin sol through Old French, with related forms surviving in several Romance languages.

Usage tips

  • For sunny weather, French commonly uses il y a du soleil or il fait beau; il fait soleil is less usual.

Other meanings

  • sunshinenoun
  • sunlightnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word