French word

verrouiller

Pronunciation

IPA/veʁuje/

Meaning

  • verblock

Example

Avant de partir, verrouillez l'entrée.

Before leaving, lock the entrance.

Illustration for verrouiller (lock)

More examples

Il faut verrouiller la porte chaque soir.

You need to lock the door every evening.

Core concept

A bolt or digital barrier stopping a door, screen, or account from opening or allowing access.

Common phrases

  • verrouiller la porte

    lock the door

  • verrouiller la maison

    lock up the house

  • verrouiller son téléphone

    lock your phone

Similar words

fermer à clé: To lock a door or box with a key so it cannot be opened from outside.
bloquer: To block passage or movement and bring it to a stop.

Definition in French

Rendre inaccessible ou empêcher l'accès ou l'ouverture en bloquant par un verrou ou un mécanisme, au sens concret (porte) comme au sens figuré (compte, écran).

Word origin

Verrouiller is formed from the French noun verrou, meaning a bolt or fastening bar, with the verbal suffix -iller, extending physical fastening to blocked access.

Usage tips

  • Verrouiller takes a direct object without a preposition, as in verrouiller la porte, l'écran, or le compte.

Opposites

  • déverrouillerunlockverb
  • ouvriropenverb

Related words

  • verrouillagelockingnoun
  • verrouillélockedadjective

Word lists with this word