French word

suspense

Pronunciation

IPA/syspɛns/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsuspense

Example

Le film crée beaucoup de suspense.

The film creates a lot of suspense.

Illustration for suspense (suspense)

More examples

Le roman tient le lecteur en suspense jusqu'à la fin.

The novel keeps the reader in suspense until the end.

Core concept

A crucial answer held back while curiosity and unease build.

Common phrases

  • film à suspense

    suspense film

  • tenir en suspense

    keep ___ in suspense

  • scène de suspense

    suspense scene

Similar words

tension: A strained atmosphere that keeps people feeling anxious and tense.
mystère: An unexplained detail that arouses curiosity.
inquiétude: Restlessness caused by concern about what will happen or how things will turn out.
attente: Expectation and impatience during a wait for something to occur.

Definition in French

Sentiment d'appréhension entretenu par le retard ou l'omission d'une information, suscitant curiosité et nervosité.

Word origin

French suspense is borrowed from English suspense, which comes through French and Latin roots related to Latin suspendere, meaning to hold up or leave pending.

Usage tips

  • Suspense is masculine in French, so the usual form is le suspense.

Opposites

  • calmecalmnoun
  • apaisementreliefnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word