French Conversation · Level 46
74 words
French word
suppléant
Pronunciation
IPA/sypleɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounsubstitute
Example
Il est suppléant du capitaine.
He is the captain's substitute.
More examples
Le professeur a trouvé un suppléant pour la semaine prochaine.
The teacher found a substitute for next week.
Core concept
A formally appointed stand-in who serves when the regular holder is absent or unable to serve.
Common phrases
professeur suppléant
substitute teacher
Similar words
remplaçant: A person who temporarily takes over a role when the regular holder is absent.
intérimaire: A person appointed to perform duties temporarily during a vacancy or absence.
substitut: A person formally assigned to act as another person's official representative.
Definition in French
Personne nommée pour remplacer temporairement un titulaire en cas d'absence ou d'empêchement.
Word origin
Suppléant comes from the French verb suppléer, ultimately from Latin supplēre, meaning to fill up or complete.
Usage tips
- Suppléant is more official than remplaçant and often appears in institutional, electoral, or administrative contexts.
Other meanings
- deputynoun
Opposites
- titulaireincumbentnoun
Related words
- suppléersupplementverb
- suppléancesubstitutionnoun