French Conversation · Level 115
59 words
French word
tiers
Pronunciation
IPA/tjɛʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounthird
Example
Un tiers des invités n'est pas venu.
One third of the guests did not come.
More examples
Le tiers restant sera réparti entre les projets.
The remaining third will be distributed among the projects.
Core concept
A single share cut from three equal parts, with the same position imagined as a person outside two sides.
Common phrases
le tiers restant
the remaining third
un tiers de la population
a third of the population
un tiers du budget
a third of the budget
Similar words
partie: A distinct part or section of a whole.
portion: A set amount of something divided or served.
fraction: A numerical expression of a part of a whole.
morceau: A piece formed by cutting or breaking something.
Definition in French
Quantité égale à une troisième partie d'un ensemble; par extension, personne extérieure aux deux protagonistes désignée comme 'tiers'.
Word origin
French inherited tiers from Latin tertius through Old French, retaining the meaning 'third' before developing the related noun senses of a third share and a third party.
Usage tips
- The final s in tiers is silent, and the word is pronounced roughly like 'tyair', not like English 'tiers'.
Other meanings
- third partynoun
Opposites
- les deux tierstwo thirdsnoun
- la majoritéthe majoritynoun