French Conversation · Level 88
60 words
French word
trop-plein
Pronunciation
IPA/tʁoplɛ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounoverflow drain
Example
Le trop-plein de la baignoire est bouché.
The bathtub overflow drain is clogged.
More examples
Le trop-plein de l'évier empêche l'eau de déborder.
The sink's overflow opening keeps the water from overflowing.
Core concept
A built-in escape opening that keeps a full container from overflowing.
Common phrases
le trop-plein de l'évier
sink overflow opening
vérifier le trop-plein
check the sink overflow opening
Similar words
bonde: A drain opening that can sometimes be closed with a stopper.
débordement: Liquid spilling over the edge of a container.
siphon: A curved drainpipe section that holds water to prevent bad odors.
évacuation: A system or passage for carrying water or wastewater away.
Definition in French
Désigne l'ouverture par laquelle s'écoule l'excès de liquide d'un contenant afin d'éviter qu'il déborde.
Word origin
The French compound joins trop, 'too much', to plein, 'full', and refers to the fitting that removes liquid above the normal level.
Usage tips
- Trop-plein denotes the outlet or fitting, whereas débordement denotes the overflow that goes over the edge.
Other meanings
- overflownoun
Opposites
- manqueshortagenoun