French word

vipère

Pronunciation

IPA/vipɛʁ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounviper

Example

Attention, il y a une vipère près du sentier.

Watch out, there is a viper near the trail.

Illustration for vipère (viper)

More examples

Nous avons évité une vipère en traversant le champ.

We avoided a viper while crossing the field.

Core concept

A short to medium venomous snake that waits concealed before a quick bite, also suggesting a malicious, untrustworthy person.

Common phrases

  • tomber sur une vipère

    run into a viper

  • se méfier des vipères

    watch out for vipers

Similar words

serpent: A general term for a long, legless, scaly snake.

Definition in French

Serpent venimeux généralement petit à moyen ; au figuré, personne perfide ou malveillante.

Word origin

The noun derives from Latin vipera by inherited development through Old French, while its meaning later widened from the animal to a person.

Usage tips

  • Calling someone une vipère is a strongly insulting accusation of malice or treachery, not a neutral synonym for méchant.

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