French words in English/Catalogs

List of French words in English

This is a list of words that retain their French spelling in English. Some of them may also feature written French accents, or be written in italics, or have a strange or little-known pronunciation in English, in any combination.

The accents in the pronunciation column show stress and pronunciation (see English spellings for a table). The equals sign (=) introduces a word that has the same pronunciation (no other kind of connection is implied). Words in italics suggest meaning.

Click on any of the letters below to see the words beginning with that letter.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Spelling (All French accents placed over vowels are included here, though they are frequently omitted in English)	Pronunciation
à bas—down with (à bas the profiteers)	à-bà
abatis, abattis—a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy	ábatis, abáttis
abattoir—a slaughterhouse	ábətwar
abbé—a member of the French secular clergy	ábbay
absinthe—a green liqueur flavored with wormwood, anise, & other herbs	ábsínth, ábsànth; or -t
accouchement—the time or act of giving birth	acoûshmàn
accoucheur—one that assists at a birth, esp. an obstetrician	acoushër
accoutrement—	acoûtrəmón
à deux—privately or intimately with only two present	à-dë
adieu—farewell	adyë
(agent) provocateur—one who incites others to some incriminating action	ázhonprovoca-tër
aide(-de-camp)—a military aide or civilian aide to an executive	= âid help dəcàn
aigrette—a spray of feathers for the head	aigrét
aide-mémoire—a mnemonic or a written summary or outline of important items	= âid help mém-wàr
aiguille—a sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock	aigwîl
aiguillette—a shoulder cord worn by designated military aides	aigwilét
aileron—a movable airfoil on the trailing edge of an airplane wing	âileron
-aire—like its anglicised form '-ary', forms nouns and adjectives	= ãir breathe
à la carte—a menu with each item's price shown separately	àlà càrt
à la mode—fashionable, stylish; topped with ice cream	àlà môde
amour propre—self-esteem	amorprópr
amuse-bouche—a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants	amûse boûsh
amuse-gueule—a small complimentary appetizer offered at some restaurants	amûse gïrl (BrE gïrl)
ancien régime—a system or mode no longer prevailing	ánciàrè-zhêem
aperçu—a brief survey or sketch; outline; immediate impression; insight	aperçu
apéritif—an alcoholic drink taken before a meal as an appetizer	aperitêef
appellation—a name for a geographical area where authorized wines are made	appellâtion
appliqué—a cutout decoration fastened to a larger piece of material	áplì-kây
après—after; usually used in combination, ie, après-theater	aprây
après-ski—social activity after a day's skiing	apray-skì
arabesque—a ballet posture, or elaborate or intricate pattern	arabésk
arbitrage—the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of securities or foreign exchange in different markets to order to profit from price discrepancies	àrbitràzh
argot—vocabulary and idiom peculiar to a certain group, slang	= Àrgo ship
arras—a wall hanging or screen of tapestry	árras
arrière-ban—proclamation of a French king calling his vassals to arms; the body of vassals summoned	áriér-bán
arrière-pensée—a mental reservation	áriér-pànsây
arrivé—one who has risen rapidly to success, power, or fame	arrêevây
arriviste—a new and uncertain arrival as in social position or artistic endeavor	árì-vêest
arrondissement—administrative district of some large French cities; the largest division of a French department	áron-dêesmon
artiste—a skilled adept public performer; an artistic or creative person	artêest
art moderne—art deco	armo-dérn
art nouveau—a design style of the late 19th century characterized by sinuous lines and foliate forms	arnu-vô
attaché—a technical expert on a country's diplomatic staff at a foreign capital	ətáshay
atelier—an artist's or designer's studio or workroom; a workshop	ətéliây
aubade—a song or poem greeting the dawn; morning music	ô-bàd
auberge—inn	ô-bérzh
aubergine—eggplant	ôberzhêen
Aubusson—a figured scenic tapestry for wall hanging or upholstery	ôbə-són
au courant—fashionable, stylish; fully familiar, conversant	ôcù-ràn
au fait—to the point; fully competent; fully informed; socially correct	ôh Fây
au fond—at bottom; fundamentally	ô-fón
au gratin—covered with bread crumbs or grated cheese and browned (as under a broiler)	ôgra-tán
au jus—served in the juice obtained from roasting (referring to meat)	ô-zhû
au naturel—cooked or served plainly; nude	ônatu-rél
au pair—a young foreign person who cares for children in return for room and board and the opportunity to learn the family's language	ô-pãir
au poivre—prepared or served with a generous amount of coarsely ground black pepper, as "steak au poivre"	ô-pwàhvr
au revoir—goodbye, see you again	ôrə-vwàr
auteur—an artist (musician or writer) or film director whose style and practice are distinctive	ô-tër
avalanche—a mass of snow, rock and ice descending a mountain rapidly	ávalanche
avant—culturally or stylistically advanced, as "avant jazz"	á-vàn
avant-garde—an intelligensia that develops new or experimental concepts, esp. in the arts	ávàn-gàrde
avant la lettre—before a specified name for the category existed, e.g., "Douanier Rousseau was an avant la lettre surrealist painter", i.e., before that term was invented	avànlà-létrə
avenue	ávenue
avoirdupois, avoir-du-pois—weight; heaviness; personal weight; expressed in avoirdupois weight	avrdupŏiz
badinage—playful repartee, banter	bádinàzh
bagasse—plant residue, as of sugarcane or grapes, left after a product has been extracted	bagásse
bagatelle—a trifle; various games involving rolling balls into scoring areas; a short literary or musical piece in a light style	bagatélle
baguette—a small molding; a gem in the shape of a long narrow rectangle; a long thin loaf of French bread	bagét
bain-marie—a cooking utensil containing heated water in which food in smaller pots is cooked	bán-marìe
ballade—a fixed verse form of three stanzas; a musical composition, usually for piano suggesting the epic ballad	ballàde
ballet—dancing in which conventional poses and steps are combined with light, flowing figures, as leaps and turns; music composed for this	bálay
bandeau—a fillet or band for the hair; brassiere; a band-shaped covering for the breasts	bandô
banderole—a long, narrow flag or streamer; a long scroll bearing an inscription or a device	banderôle
banlieue—a French suburban housing block; suburbs containing these	bàn-lyë
banquette—a built-in upholstered bench along a wall	bàn-két
baroque—characterized by grotesqueness, extravagance, or flamboyance; an irregularly shaped pearl	barôk, barók
barquette—a small boat-shaped pastry shell	barkét
barrage—an artificial dam; artillery fire; a vigorous projection of many things at once, as "a barrage of protests"	bárràzh
baton—music conductor's stick, policeman's hitting implement, army officer's ceremonial stick	BrE bátón, AmE bətón
béarnaise—a sauce of egg yolks and butter flavored with shallots, wine, vinegar, and seasonings	béar-nâyz
beau (singular), beaux (plural)—a dandy; a boyfriend	bô singular, bôz plural
beaucoup (slang)—great in quantity or amount; many , much, e.g., "he spent beaucoup dollars"	bô-coô
beau geste (singular), beaux gestes or beau gestes (plural)—a graceful or magnanimous gesture; an ingratiating conciliatory gesture	bô-zhést
beau idéal (singular), beaux idéals (plural)—the perfect type or model	bôwidây-ál, bôzidây-ál
beau monde—the world of high society and fashion	bô-mónd
beaux arts—the fine arts	bô-zàr
beige—a cloth made of natural undyed wool; a variable color averaging light grayish-yellowish brown; a pale to grayish yellow	bâizh
belle—a popular and attractive girl or woman; especially a girl or woman whose charm and beauty make her a favorite, ie, "the belle of the ball"	= béll ring
belle époque—a period of high artistic or cultural development; especially such a period in fin de siècle France	bélây-pók
belles lettres—literature that is an end in itself and not merely informative; specifically, light, entertaining, and often sophisticated literature	béll létra
béret—a visorless, usually woolen cap with a tight headband and a soft full, flat top	béray
bête noire—a person or thing strongly detested or avoided; bugbear	bét-nwàr
beurre blanc—a seasoned butter sauce (as for fish) flavored with white wine, shallots, and vinegar or lemon juice	bër-blànc
beurre manié—flour and butter kneaded together used as a thickener in sauces	bër-mániay
beurre noir—butter heated until brown or black and often flavored with vinegar or lemon juice	bër-nwàr
bézique—a card game similar to pinochle that is played with a pack of 64 cards	bəzêek
bidet— a bathroom fixture used especially for bathing the external genitals and the anal region	BrE bêedây, AmE bidây, bidét
bizarre—strikingly out of the ordinary: odd, extravagant, or eccentric in style or mode; involving sensational contrasts or incongruities	bí-zàr, cf. bazàar shop, bə-
blancmange—a usually sweetened and flavored dessert made from gelatinous or starchy ingredients and milk	bləmànzh
blasé—apathetic to pleasure or excitement as a result of excessive indulgence or enjoyment; world-weary; sophisticated, worldly-wise; unconcerned	blà-zây
blouson—a garment (as a dress) having a close waistband with blousing of material over it	bloûzon
boîte—a nightclub	bwút
bon mot—a clever remark; witticism	bón-mô
bon ton—a fashionable manner or style; the fashionable or proper thing; high society	bón-tón
bon vivant—a person having cultivated, refined, and sociable tastes especially with respect to food and drink	bón-vìvàn
bonhomie—good-natured easy friendliness	bónóm-êe
bouclé—an uneven yarn of three plies, one of which forms loops at intervals; a fabric of bouclé yarn	boûclây
boudin—a blood sausage, especially "boudin noir"; a spicy Cajun sausage containing rice and meat (as pork) or seafood	boûdán
boudoir—a woman's dressing room, bedroom, or private sitting room	boûdwàr
bouffant—puffed out, as bouffant hairdos or bouffant veils	boûffàn
bougie—a wax candle; a tapering cylindrical instrument for introduction into a tubular passage of the body; a suppository	boozhêe
bouillabaisse—a highly seasoned fish stew made with at least two kinds of fish; a potpourri	bwêeabâisse
bouillon—a clear seasoned soup made usually from lean beef; broadly, broth	bwêeon
boule—a synthethically formed mass (as of sapphire) with the atomic structure of a single crystal	boûle
boulevard—a broad, often landscaped thoroughfare	boûlevard
boulevardier—a frequenter of the Parisian boulevards; broadly, a man-about-town	boôlə-vàrdiay
bouleversement—a reversal; a violent disturbance; disorder	boôlə-vérsmón
bouquet—flowers picked and fastened together in a bunch, a nosegay; a medley, such a bouquet of songs, a compliment; a distinctive and characteristic fragrance, as of wine; a subtle aroma or quality, as of an artistic performance	boukây
bouquet garni—an herb mixture that is either tied together or enclosed in a porous container and is cooked with a dish but removed before serving	boukâygar-nêe
bourgeois—adjective: of, relating to, or characteristic of the townsman or of the social middle class; marked by a concern for material interests and respectability and a tendency toward mediocrity; dominated by commercial and industrial interests; capitalistic; noun: a burgher; a middle-class person; a person with social behavior and political views held to be influenced by private-property interest; a capitalist	bŏrzhwà
bourgeoise—noun: a woman of the middle class	bŏrzhwàz
bourgeoisie—the middle class; also plural in construction, as "members of the middle class"; a social order dominated by bourgeois	bŏrzhwà-zì
bourguignonne, bourguignon—prepared or served in the manner of Burgundy (as with a sauce made with red wine), ie, "beef bourguignonne"	bŏrgin-yon
bourrée—a 17th century French dance usually in quick duple time; a musical composition with the rhythm of this dance; a pas de bourrée	bŏrây
bourride—a fish stew similar to bouillabaisse that is usually thickened with egg yolks and strongly flavored with garlic	bourrìde
bourse—an exchange, specifically a European stock exchange; a sale of numismatic or philatelic items on tables (as at a convention)	bŏrse
boutique—a small, fashionable shop; a small shop within a large department store; a small company that offers highly specialized services or products, such as "boutique wineries", "an independent investment boutique"	bootêek
boutonnière—a flower or bouquet worn in a buttonhole	boôtoni-ére
Bouvier des Flandres—any of a breed of large, powerfully built rough-coated dogs of Belgian origin used especially for herding and in guard work—called also a Bouvier	Boûviâydây-Flàndrə
brasserie—an informal, usually French restaurant serving simple hearty food	brásserie
brassière—a woman's undergarment to cover and support the breasts	bráziére
bric-à-brac—a miscellaneous collection of small articles commonly of ornamental or sentimental value; curios; something suggesting bric-à-brac especially in extraneous decorative quality	brícabrac
brie—a soft, surface-ripened cheese with a whitish rind and a pale yellow interior	brìe
brioche—a light, slightly sweet bread made with a rich yeast dough	brêe-ósh
buffet—a sideboard; a counter for refreshments; chiefly British, a restaurant operating in a public space (as in a railway station); a meal set out on a buffet or table for ready access and informal service	bùffay, boôfay
bureau—British: a writing desk, especially one having drawers and a slant top; a low chest of drawers for use in a bedroom; a specialized administrative unit, especially a subdivision of an executive department of a government; a branch of a newspaper, newsmagazine, or wire service in an important news center; a usually commercial agency that serves as an intermediary especially for exchanging information or coordinating activities, ie "credit bureau"	bûro
bureau de change—an office at airports, railway terminals, etc., where one can buy foreign currency	bûrodə-shónzh
burette or buret—a graduated glass tube with a small aperture and stopcock for delivering measured quantities of liquid or for measuring the liquid or gas received or discharged	burét
burlesque—a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation; mockery. usually by caricature; theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous. often earthy character, consisting of short turns, comic skits, and sometimes striptease acts	burlésk
cabaret—archaic: a shop selling wines and liquors; a restaurant serving liquor and providing entertainment, as by singers or dancers; a nightclub; the show provided at a cabaret	cábəray
cabernet franc—a dry red wine often used in blends, as with merlot or cabernet sauvignon	cábernây-fràn, some AmE cábernây-fránk
cabernet sauvignon—a dry red wine made from a single widely cultivated variety of black grape—called also cabernet	cábernâysovêen-yón
cabotage—a trade or transport in coastal waters or airspace or between two points within a country; the right to engage in cabotage	cábotàzh
cabotin—a second-rate actor, strolling player	cábotán
cabriole—a ballet leap in which one leg is extended in midair and the other struck against it; a curved furniture leg ending in an ornamental foot	cábriôle
cabriolet—a light, 2-wheeled one-horse carriage with a folding leather hood, a large apron, and upward-curving shafts; a convertible coupe	cabriolây
CAC 40 (CAC quarante)	các-carànt
cachalot—a sperm whale	cáshalót, cáshalô
cache—a hiding place, especially for concealing and preserving provisions or implements; a secure place of storage; something hidden or stored in a cache; a computer memory with very short access time used for storage of frequently or recently used instructions or data—called also cache memory	= cásh money
cachepot—an ornamental receptacle to hold and usually to conceal a flowerpot	cáshpo, cáshpót
cachet—a seal used especially as a mark of official approval; an indication of approval carrying great prestige; a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige; prestige; a medicinal preparation for swallowing consisting of a case usually of rice-flour paste enclosing a medicine; a design or inscription on an envelope to commemorate a postal or philatelic event; an advertisement forming part of a postage meter impression; a motto or slogan included in a postal cancellation	cáshây
cachou—a pill or pastille used to sweeten the breath	= cáshew nut
café—a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (as coffee); broadly, a restaurant, barroom, cabaret, or nightclub	cáfè
café au lait—coffee with usually hot milk in about equal parts; the color of coffee with milk	cáfè ôh lây
café noir—coffee without milk or cream; also a demitasse	cafè nwàr
cahier—a report or memorial concerning policy especially of a parliamentary body	càyay
camembert—a soft, surface-ripened cheese with a thin grayish-white rind and a yellow interior	cámembér
camouflage—the disguising, especially of military equipment or installations with paint, nets, or foliage; also the disguise so applied; concealment by means of disguise; behavior or artifice designed to deceive or hide	cáməflàzh
canapé—an appetizer consisting of a piece of bread or toast or a cracker topped with a savory spread such as caviar or cheese; a kind of hors d'oeuvre	cánapè
canaille—the rabble; riffraff; proletarian	canàî, kənŷ
canard—a false or unfounded report or story, especially a fabricated report; a groundless rumor or belief; an airplane with horizontal stabilizing and control surfaces in front of supporting surfaces; a small airfoil in front of the wing of an aircraft that can increase the aircraft's performance	cánàrd
caprice—a sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action; a sudden, usually unpredictable condition, change, or series of changes (the caprices of the weather); a disposition to do things impulsively	caprìce
caramel—an amorphous brittle brown and somewhat bitter substance obtained by heating sugar and used as a coloring and flavoring agent; a firm, chewy, usually caramel-flavored candy	cáramél
carrousel—a tournament or exhibition in which horsemen execute evolutions; a merry-go-round; a circular conveyor (the luggage carousel at the airport); a revolving case or tray used for storage or display	carəssél
carte blanche—full discretionary power (was given carte blanche to furnish the house)	càrt-blànsh
cause célèbre—a legal case that excites widespread interest; a notorious person, thing, incident, or episode	côze-celébrə; informally cåuse celéb
centre (French and British spelling)	= cénter (American spelling of same word)
cerise—a moderate red	cerìse
c'est la vie—that's life; that's how things happen	sâyla-vêe
c'est la guerre—that's war; it cannot be helped	sâyla-gãir
Chablis—a dry, sharp, white burgundy wine; a semidry, soft, white California wine	shábly
chaconne—an old Spanish dance tune of Latin-American origin; a musical composition in moderate triple time typically consisting of variations on a repeated succession of chords	chacónne
chacun à son goût—everyone to his own taste	shákən-ason-goô
chagrin—disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure	shágrin
chaise longue	shéz lóng
chalet—a remote herdsman's hut in the Alps; a Swiss dwelling with unconcealed structural members and a wide overhang at the front and sides; a cottage or house in chalet style	shálay
chamois—a small, goatlike bovid (Rupicapra rupicapra) of mountainous regions from southern Europe to the Caucasus; also chammy or shammy: a soft pliant leather prepared from the skin of the chamois or from sheepskin; a cotton fabric made in imitation of chamois leather	BrE shámwà, AmE shámmy
Champagne, BrE champagne—a white, sparkling wine made in the old province of Champagne, France; also, a similar wine made elsewhere; a pale orange yellow to light grayish-yellowish brown	shám pâin
chanson—a song; specifically, a music-hall or cabaret song	shànson
chanteuse—a songstress, especially a woman who is a concert or nightclub singer	BrE shàn-tëz, AmE shán-tûz
chapeau (singular), chapeaux (plural)—hat	sháppo, sháppôz
chaperon—a person (as a matron) who for propriety accompanies one or more young unmarried women in public or in mixed company; an older person who accompanies young people at a social gathering to ensure proper behavior; broadly, one delegated to ensure proper behavior; any of a class of proteins that facilitate the proper folding of proteins by binding to and stabilizing unfolded or partially folded proteins—called also molecular chaperone	sháperôn
charabanc—British: a sight-seeing motor coach	shárabang
charade—a word represented in riddling verse or by picture, tableau, or dramatic action; plural, a game in which some of the players try to guess a word or phrase from the actions of another player who may not speak; an empty or deceptive act or pretense ("his concern was a charade")	BrE shəràd, AmE shərâde
charcuterie—a delicatessen specializing in dressed meats and meat dishes; also the products sold in such a shop	sharcûterie
chargé d'affaires—a subordinate diplomat who substitutes for an absent ambassador or minister; a diplomat inferior in rank to an ambassador or minister who heads a mission when no ambassador or minister is assigned	shàrzhâydá-fãir
charivari—a shivaree: a noisy mock serenade to a newly married couple	BrE sharivàri, AmE shivarêe
charlotte—a dessert consisting of a filling (as of fruit, whipped cream, or custard) layered with or placed in a mold lined with strips of bread, ladyfingers, or biscuits	shàrlot
charlotte russe—a charlotte made with sponge cake or ladyfingers and a whipped-cream or custard-gelatin filling	shàrlot rûss
chartreuse—a variable color averaging a brilliant yellow green	BrE shartrëuz, AmE shartreûz
chassé—a sliding dance step resembling the galop	shássay
chasseur—a hunter , huntsman; one of a body of light cavalry or infantry trained for rapid maneuvering; a liveried attendant, a footman	shassur
châssis—the supporting frame of a structure, as an automobile or television; also, the frame and working parts, as of an automobile or electronic device, exclusive of the body or housing	shássy
château (singular), châteaux (plural)—a feudal castle or fortress in France; a large country house or mansion; a French vineyard estate	shátto, sháttôz
chateaubriand—a large tenderloin steak usually grilled or broiled and served with a sauce, as béarnaise	shatôbriand
chatelain—a castellan	shátelán
chatelaine—the wife of a castellan; the mistress of a château; the mistress of a household or of a large establishment; a clasp or hook for a watch, purse, or bunch of keys	shátelain, shátelén
chaud-froid	shô-fwà
chauffeur— a person employed to drive a motor vehicle	shô-fër
chef—a skilled cook who manages the kitchen, as of a restaurant; a cook	shéf
chef d'oeuvre—a masterpiece, especially in art or literature	shây-dëvr
chemin de fer—a card game in which two hands are dealt, any number of players may bet against the dealer, and the winning hand is the one that comes closer to but does not exceed a count of nine on two or three cards	shəmánda-fãir
chemise—a woman's one-piece undergarment; a loose, straight-hanging dress	shəmêez
chemisette— a woman's garment, especially one as of lace to fill the open front of a dress	shəmeezét
chenille—a wool, cotton, silk, or rayon yarn with protruding pile; a pile-face fabric with a filling of this yarn; an imitation of chenille yarn or fabric"	chənêe, chənìl
chèque—in BrE, a written order to a bank to pay money, AmE check	= chéck investigate
cherchez la femme, chercher la femme—look for the woman	shérchèla-fám
cheval-de-frise (singular), chevaux-de-frise (plural)—a defense consisting typically of a timber or an iron barrel covered with projecting spikes and often strung with barbed wire; a protecting line, as of spikes, on top of a wall—usually used in the plural	shəváldə frêeze, shəvôdə frêeze
chevalier—a cavalier; a member of any of various orders of knighthood or of merit, as the Legion of Honor; a member of the lowest rank of French nobility; a cadet of the French nobility; a chivalrous man	shəválêeây
chevelure— a head of hair	shəvəlûre
chèvre—goat cheese	shévra
chez—at or in the home or business place of	= Shây
chic—smart elegance and sophistication, especially of dress or manner; style (wears her clothes with superb chic); a distinctive mode of dress or manner associated with a fashionable lifestyle, ideology, or pursuit (wearing the latest in urban chic); a faddishly popular quality or appeal; something, as a practice or interest, having such appeal (the transient tides of academic chic — Irving Kristol)	shèek
chichi—frilly or elaborate ornamentation; affectation , preciosity; chic	shêshê
chiffon—an ornamental addition, as a knot of ribbons, to a woman's dress; a sheer fabric especially of silk	shíffon
chiffonade—shredded or finely cut vegetables or herbs used especially as a garnish	shiffonàd
chiffonier—a high narrow chest of drawers	shiffónìây
chignon—a knot of hair that is worn at the back of the head and especially at the nape of the neck	shìnyon
chinoiserie—a style in art, as in decoration, reflecting Chinese qualities or motifs; an object or decoration in this style	shinwazerìe
choucroute—sauerkraut; sauerkraut cooked and served with meat—also called choucroute garnie	= shoô away croût
chûte—a quick descent, as in a river; a rapid; an inclined plane, sloping channel, or passage down or through which things may pass; a slide; a parachute; a spinnaker	= shoôt shot
cigarette—a slender roll of cut tobacco enclosed in paper and meant to be smoked; also, a similar roll of another substance, as marijuana	cigərét
cinéma—a motion picture—usually used attributively; a motion-picture theater; movies; especially, the film industry or the art or technique of making motion pictures	cínemà, cínemə
cinéma vérité—art or technique of filming a motion picture so as to convey candid realism	cínema véritè
cinémathèque—a small movie house specializing in avant-garde films	cínematek
clairvoyant—one who claims to see into the future	clãir-vŏyant
claque—a group hired to applaud at a performance; a group of sycophants	cláck
claqueur—a member of a claque	clackër
cliché—a trite phrase or expression; also, the idea expressed by it; a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation; something, as a menu item, that has become overly familiar or commonplace	clêeshây (AmE stresses 2nd syllable)
clientèle—a body of clients (a shop that caters to an exclusive clientele)	cleeontél
clique—a narrow, exclusive circle or group of persons; especially one held together by common interests, views, or purposes	clêek
cloche—a transparent plant cover used outdoors especially for protection against cold; a woman's close-fitting hat usually with deep rounded crown and narrow brim	clósh
cloisonné—of, relating to, or being a style of enamel decoration in which the enamel is applied and fired in raised cells (as of soldered wires) on a usually metal background	cloizənây
cocotte—a prostitute; a shallow individual baking dish usually with one or two handles	cocót
collage—an artistic composition made of various materials (as paper, cloth, or wood) glued on a surface; a creative work that resembles such a composition in incorporating various materials or elements <the album is a collage of several musical styles>; the art of making collages; a hodgepodge <a collage of ideas>; a work (as a film) having disparate scenes in rapid succession without transitions	cóllàzh (cf. anglicised cóllege *cóllij)
colporteur—a peddler of religious books	cólporter
comédienne—a woman who is a comedian	comediénne
comme ci, comme ça—so-so	comsêe-comsà
comme il faut—conforming to accepted standards; proper	comêel-fô
commode—a woman's ornate cap popular in the late 17th and early 18th centuries; a low chest of drawers; a movable washstand with a cupboard underneath; a boxlike structure holding a chamber pot under an open seat; also chamber pot; toilet	commôde
commune—the smallest administrative district of many countries, especially in Europe; commonalty; community, as a medieval usually municipal corporation; mir; an often rural community organized on a communal basis	cómmune
communiqué—official communication or report	commûnikay
compère—chiefly British: the master of ceremonies of an entertainment (as a television program)	cómpére host, cf. compãre contrast
compote	compóte
concierge	cóncìërzh
confit	cónfì
confrère	cónfrére
concours d'élégance	concordéle-gànce
conduit	cóndwít
consommé	consómmè
contretemps	cóntratóm
coq au vin	cóck ôh ván
coquette	cô-két
cordon sanitaire	cŏrdon sanitãire
corniche	cor-nêesh
cornichon	cornishón
corps army	= cŏre apple
corps de ballet	cŏrda-bálay
corps d'élite	cŏrdây-lêet
corsage	corsàzh
corsetière	corsetiére
cortège—a funeral procession	cortézh
coryphé(e)	coryfây
Côte d'Ivoire—country formerly known as Ivory Coast	Côat divwàr
coterie—an intimate and often exclusive group of persons with a unifying common interest or purpose	côterie
coulis, coulisse	coulìsse
coup d'état	coôdây-tà
coup de grâce	coôdəgràss
coup de théâtre	coôdətay-átrə
coupé	coûpè
courgette	cŏr-zhét
couscousière	cusscussiér
couture	coutûre
cortège	cŏr-tézh
crayon	crâyón
crèche	crésh
crème	créme
crème anglaise	cremongléz
crème brulé	crembrulây
crème caramel	cremcaramél
crème de cacao	cremdəcacòw
crème de cassis	cremdəcassìs
crème de la crème	cremdəlacrém
crème de menthe	cremdmónt
crème fraîche, crème fraiche	cremfrâysh, cremfrésh
crèpe	crèpe
crepe de chine	crèpe de shêen
crèpe suzette	crèpe suzét
crepon	crépon
crevasse	crəváss
cri de coeur	crìdə-kër
crime passionnel—crime of passion	crêam pasionél
critique	critêek, cf. crític
crochet	crôshây
croissant	quàson
Cro-Magnon	Cro-Mágnon, Cro-Mányon
crôquet	crôcây
croquette	crockét
croquignole	cróckêen-yôle
croquis	cróck-êe
croupier	croôpêeây
croustade	crùs-tàd
crouton	croôton
crudités	cruditây
cuirassier	quêer-ássiây
cuisine	quêe-zêen
cul-de-sac	cúll de sáck
culotte	culót
curé	cyûrây
curetage	cyùretàzh
curette, curet	cyurét
cuvée—	cûvay
dauphin—the eldest son of the king of France	dô-fán
dauphine—the wife of a dauphin	dô-fêen
débâcle	debàcle
débris	BrE débrêe or dèbrêe, AmE dəbrêe
début	dèbyû or débyû
débutant male	dèbyûtàn or débyûtàn
débutante female	dèbyûtànt or débyûtànt
déclassé	declássè
décolletage noun, décolleté male, décolletée female	daycoletàzh, daycoletây
décor	dâycor
dégringolade	dây-gráng-go-làd
degustation—a tasting of foods or wines in a series of small portions	dây-gù-stá-ssión
de haut en bas	də-ôwàn-bà
déjà vu	dâyzhà-vû
deluxe, de luxe	də-lúxe, də-lûxe
demi-glace	démi-gláce
demimondaine	démimon-dâne
demimonde	démimonde
demi-sec	démi-séc
demoiselle	dəmwazél
dénouement	dây-noûmon
dépôt	BrE déppo, AmE dêpo
derailleur	dayrî-yër
déraciné, déracinée	dayrácinay
de règle	də-réglə
de rigueur	dərigër - hard g
dernier cri	dãirny-ãir-crêe
derrière	Dérry ãir
détente	daytànt
de trop	dətrô
digestif	deezhestêef
discothèque	díscoték
divorcé man, divorcée woman; divorcee either—divorced person	divorsây; divorcêe
donnée, donné—a given, basic fact or assumption, subject or theme of story, etc	dónnây
double entendre—a word or expression capable of two interpretations, with one usually being risqué	doôblon-tóndrə
douche	doôsh
doyen man, doyenne woman	doyén (man can be dǒyen)
droit	dwà
droit du seigneur	dwàdusen-yer
du jour	dû-zhûr
duvet	dûvay
eau de Cologne	ôdaco-lône
eau de parfum	ôdapar-füm
eau de toilette	ôda-twà-lét
eau-de-vie	ôda-vêe
échelon—	éshelón, échelón
éclair	eclãir
éclaircissement	eclaircìsmàn
éclat	è-clà
élan	è-làn
embonpoint—plumpness (of person)	ómbonpwàn
embouchure	emboû-shûre or óm-
embourgeoisement	ombŏurzhwazmón
émigré	émigrè
éminence grise	éminonce-grêez
en attendant	ón ətóndón
en banc	ón bónk
en bloc, bloc	ón blóck, blóc
en brochette	ón broshét
enceinte	ón sánt
en clair	ón Clãir
encore	óncore
en face	ón fáss
en famille	ón famì
enfant terrible	ón fànté-rìbl
en fête	ón fét
engagé	ón gázhây
en masse	ón máss
en passant—in passing: in chess, of a pawn taking a pawn that has reached the same rank as one's own only by virtue of the fact that on its first move a pawn has the option of moving two squares	ón pásson
en plein	ón plán
en poste	ón póst
en prise—in a position to be captured (in chess, etc.)	ón prêez
en rapport	ón rá-pŏr
en route	ón roûte
ensemble	ón sómbl
ensilage	ón silàzh
en suite	ón swêet
entente	ón tónt
entente cordiale	óntónt cordiàl
entourage	ónturàzh
entrechat	óntrəshà
entrecôte	óntrecote
entrée	ón trây
entremets	óntrəmây
entrepôt	óntrəpô
entrepreneur	óntrəprənër
entresol	óntrəsól
equipage	ekípàzh
escarole	éscarôle
espionage	espìonàzh
esprit de corps	espreedəcŏr
estaminet	éstáminay
etiquette	étikét
étouffée	ây-toûfay
étude	âytûde
etui	ây-twì
euclase	ëugh-clàz
exposé	expôzây, cf. expôse
façade	fəssàd
fait accompli	fétəcóm-plêe
farouche	fəroûsh
fatigue	fətêeg
faute de mieux	fôte de-myə
fauteuil	foe toô ê
fauve	fôv
faut-naïf	fôe nîgh êef
faux pas	fô-pâ
femme fatale—woman with whom it may be dangerous to have a liaison	fám-fatàl
fête festival	= fâte destiny
fiancé man, fiancée woman	fì-ànsây
figurine	figurìne
filet—	= fíllet; or fêelây
filet mignon— or mignon	fêelây-mêenyón
fils	fêece
fin de siècle—"end of the century", in particular the 'naughty nineties' of the nineteenth	fándəsì-éclə
finesse	finésse
flânerie	flánə-rìe
flâneur	flanëur
flèche arrow	flésh meat
fléchette	flésh-ét
foie gras	fwà-grà
folie à deux	folìà-dë
fondant	fóndàn
forté	fŏrtè
foyer—entrance hall in hotel, theatre or cinema	fŏyèh
franc	= Frank person
franc-tireur	fràncti-rer
frisée, frisé	frìzây
frisson	frìsson
froideur	fwàh-dër
frottage	frótàzh
frou-frou	froû-frou
fuselage	fûsilàzh
fusil	fûzil
fusilier, fusileer	fusilêer
fusillade	fuzilàd
gaffe mistake	= gáff blow, fishing
galantine	galantìne
galère	galére
galette	galét
galop—	= gállop horse
garage	AmE gəràzh, gəràj, BrE gáràj, gáràzh or the despised gáríj
garçon	gàr-són
garde-manger	gàrdmàn-zhây
gastronome	gástronôme
gâteau, gâteaux	gáttô, gáttôz
gauche	gôsh
gaucherie	gôshery
gavotte	gavótte
genre	zhónrə
gigot	zhêego
glacé	glássây
gouache	gouásh
grandeur—great power, rank or eminence; nobility, splendour	grándure
grand mal—the worst kind of epilepsy	grà-mál
Grand Prix—international motor-racing championship	Gràm Prêe
grande dame—dignified lady	gràn-dám
grange—a country house with farm buildings attached	grânge
gratin—a brown crust formed on cooked food, or the crusted food itself	gratán
gratiné or gratinée —to cook au gratin; a dish cooked in that manner	gratinây
grillage	grêeàzh
grille lattice	= gríll cook
grotesque	grotésk
grotesquerie	grotéskery
gruyère	gruyére
guillotine	gilətêen
hautbois	ôboy
habitué	habítyoo-ây
haute, also haut	= ôat meal, ôh surprise
haute couture	ôat-coô-tûre
haute cuisine	ôat-kwì-zêen
haute école	otay-cól
hauteur	otër
haut monde, also haute monde	ôh-mónd, ôat-mónd
honi soit qui mal y pense	ónny-swà-kêe-málly-pànss
hors commerce	orcommérce
hors de combat	ordəcom-bà
hors d'œuvre	ŏr-dëvr
hotelier	hotélier
idée fixe	êedây fêex
impasse	ímpasse, ámpasse
infusion	ánfûzi-ón
ingénue	ánzhé-nû
insouciance	ánsoossi-àhnss
insouciant	ánsoossi-àhn
-ique—forming nouns	êek
jabot	zhàbo
j'ádoube—"I adjust", said when centring a chessman on its square	zhadoûb
je ne sais quoi	zhənəsâi-kwà
jeté	zhətay
jeu d'esprit	zhëdé-sprêe
jeunesse dorée	zhənéss-dórây
joie de vivre	zhwàd-vìvrə
julienne	juliénne, zhulién
képi	= KP kây-pêe
Khmer Rouge	Kəmãir Roûzh
laïcité	là-ìcì-tây
laissez-faire	= lây sây fãir
largesse	larzhéss
latrine	latrìne
lavabo	lavàbo
lavage	lavàzh
lavaliere or lavalliere pendant	lavalìer
lavalier or lavaliere microphone	ləválier
layette	layét
lèse-majesté	lâys mázhestay
levee—a natural or artificial slope or wall to regulate water levels	lévêe
liaison—love affair, probably temporary	liâizon
lieu	lyë
lieutenant	AmE lieuténant, BrE lefténant
littérateur	literatër
longue durée—study of history giving priority to long-term structures	lóng durây
lorgnette, lorgnon	lornyét, lornyón
louche - disreputable	loôsh
lunes	= loôn crazy
luthier—a maker of stringed instruments such as violins or guitars	lûtiər
luxe	lúx, lûx
macabre	macàbre
macédoine—mixed fruit or vegetables, especially cut up small or in jelly	masidwàn
mâche	màsh
machine	məshêen
madame brothel, Madame title	madáme, cf. mádam shopping
madeleine	mádeleíne
mademoiselle	madame wàzél
maisonette	maizonét
maître d'hôtel	métradô-tél, mâitradô-tél
mal de mer	máldə-mér
malines	malêen
mandoline (also 'mandolin' in English)	mándə-lín
margarine	marjərìne
marionette	marionét
marque type	= màrk write = Màrk person
marquee	= màr kêy
marquis	màrquís
marquise	markêez
marron	márron
māsque drama	= māsk face
masquerade	maskerâde
massage	mássàzh (cf. anglicised méssage *méssij)
masseur	BrE massër, AmE massûr
masseuse	BrE massëz, AmE massûze
matinée	mátinèe
mauve	môve, cf. move, pronounced moôve
mayonnaise	mayonnâise
Médecins sans Frontières	Mâydsán són Frontiãir
mélange	mây-lànzh
mêlée	méllay
ménage à trois	ménàzhà-twà
menagerie	menádgery
merlon	mérlon
merlot	merlô
Messrs. (abbreviation of Messieurs)	méssers
métier	mâytiây
métis	maytêess
mignonette—	minyonét
milieu—	miliëü
minaudière—	minodiér
mirage—an optical effect; something illusory or unobtainable	míràzh
mirepoix—a sautéed mixture of diced vegetables used as a base for sauces	mêerpwà
moi—me, I (first person pronoun)	mwà
Monsieur—Sir, Mister	Məs-yər
montage—	móntàzh
montagnard	móntanyar
moquette	mokét
moresque	morésque
mot juste, le mot juste	mô-zhûst, ləmô-zhûst
motif	motìf repeated pattern
Moulin Rouge	Moûlán Roûzh
Mousquetaire	Mousketãire
mousse	moûsse
mousseline	mousselìne
mousselìne de soie	mousselìne de swà
moustache	AmE mústásh, BrE mə-stàsh
moyen-âge	mwayenàzh
musique concrète	muzêek concrét
mystìque	mistêek
naïve	nî-yêeve
naïveté	nî-yeevì-tây
née—before a woman's maiden name
négligee, négligé	néglizhây
négritude—a consciousness of and pride in the cultural and physical aspects of the African heritage; the state or condition of being black
Nez Percé	Naypãir sây, Néz-Pérss, Nézperz
niche	nêesh
noblesse oblige	nô bléss oblêezh
noir	nwàr
nom de guerre	nóm-de-gãir
nom de plume	nóm de plûme
nougat	nougat
nouveau	nû-vô
nouveau riche	noôvô-rêesh
nouvelle	nuvél
nouvelle cuisine	nuvél-quizêen
nouvelle vague	nuvél-vàg
nuance	nûànce
objet d'art	óbzhâi-dàr
objet trouvé	óbzhâi-troûvây
odalisque	ôdalísk
oeil de boeuf	oidə-bəf
oenophile	ênofîle
œuvre	ëvr
omelette	ómlət/ómlit
on dit	XXXXX
opéra bouffe—	ópera boûf
opéra comique—	ópera comêek
oubliette	oûbli-ét
outré	oûtrè
paillard	pîàr
paillette	pà yét
pain-au-chocolat	pánnoshoko-là
palette	pálit
panache	pənásh
papier-mâché	BrE pápiay-máshay, AmE pâper-məshây
papillon	pápêeon
papillote	pápêeot
parachute	párashoot
parfait	parfây
par excellence	parexelónss
parole	parôle
parquet	pàrkây
parterre	partér
parvenu	pàrvən(y)û
pas de bourrée	pàdə-boùray
pas de chat	pàdə-shà
pas de deux	pàdə-dë
pas de quatre	pàdə-kátr
pas de trois	pàdə-twà
passé	pássè
passe-partout	pàss pâr toô
pastille	pastìlle
pâté	pátè
pâté de foie gras—	pátèdəfwà-grà
Pathéthique	patetêek
pâtisserie—pastry; a pastry shop	patìsserie
patois - colloquial language	pátwà, rhyming with fátwà
peignoir—woman's loose dressing gown	pâynwàr
penchant	AmE pénchant, BrE pànshàn
pensée - thought, witty saying	pànsây
perdu or perdue	perdû
père - father	pére
petit	pətêe
petit bourgeois	pətêe-bŏrzhwa
petite - small, cute	pətêet
petite bourgeoisie	pətêet-bŏrzhwa zêe
petite sirah, petite syrah	pətêet-sírə
petit four—	pətêe fŏur
petit-maître	pətêe-métr
petit mal	pətêe-mál
petit point	pətêe-pwàn
pièce de résistance	pì-éss də râyzêe-stànss
pied-à-terre	pyédà-téər
pince-nez	pánss-nây
pinot noir	pêeno-nwàr
piolet—alpinist's two-headed ice-axe	piolây
pipette	pipét
pique	= pêak mountain
piqué	= PK, K stressed
piquet	= PK, P stressed
pirogue	pirôg
pirouette	pirouét
pis aller	pêace állây
pissoir—men's public urinal	pêeswahr
piste—safe skiing areas	pêast
plage—beach	plàzh
pláteau, pláteaux (plural)—	pláttô, plátôz; in both, the second syllable is stressed in AmE
plus ça change—the more it changes (the more it remains the same)	ploôssà-shànzh
politesse—politeness	politésse
pommée	pómmây
portmanteau	portmántô
poseur	pô-zër
pot-pourri	pôpu-rêe
pouf, pouffe, pouffet	poùf, poùf, poùffay
poularde	poûlarde
pour encourager les autres—literally, to encourage others; in fact, to deter others when making an example of someone	poûroncoûràzhâylâyz-ôtr
pourboire	porbwàr
pourparler	porpàrlây
pourpoint	porpwàn
pousse-café	poosscaffây
poussette	poôssét
précis	prâysêe
première	prémiãir
prestige	prést-êezh
prie-dieu	prêe-dyü
profiterole—eclair as a sweet	profiterôle
prôgrámme (BrE; in all but computer senses)	= AmE prógrám
promenade	prómenàde
proneur	prón-ër
protégé	prôtezhây
Provençal	Provonssàl
puce	pûce
puisne judge	= pûny small
purée	pûrây
queue—noun and verb, British English for 'line' as in 'to stand in line', 'to queue up'	= cûe signal, billiards
quiche	kêesh
raclette	rác-lét
raconteur	rácon-tër
ragout	ragoû
raison d’être	râizon-détrə
rapport	rá-pŏr
rapporteur	rapportëur
rapprochement	rappróchement
ratafia	ratafìa
ratatouille	ratatoôêe, ratatwêe
recherché	rəshãirshây
reculer pour mieux sauter—retreat in order to jump further	rəculây pŏr myə sôtay
régie—state monopoly of tobacco, salt, etc.	rây-zhêe
régime—present system of government, etc., often derogatory, see also ancien régime	rây-zhêem
rendezvous	róndâyvoô, róndivoô
renifleur	rəníflër, rənì-flër, réniflër
renaissance	renâisàhnss
rentier	ràntêeây
repertoire	répertwàr
reservoir—lake, usually artificial, for preservation of water	réservwar
restaurant	réstərànt
restaurateur	restratëur
résumé	rézyumây, râyzyumây, cf. resûme (rizyûme)
retroussé	retroûsay
revanche	revànsh
ricochet	BrE ríkəshay, AmE rikəshây
riposte	ripóste
risqué	rískây, rêeskây
rôle part	= rôll over, eat
rondure	rondûre
roquefort	BrE róck fŏr, AmE rôkefərt, rôkefŏrt
rosé wine	rôzay
rosette	rozét
rotisserie	rotíssery
roué	roôwây
rouge—red powder for facial colouring	roûzh
roulette	roulét
route	BrE = roôt, AmE = ròut
roux	roû
sabotage	sábotàzh
salon	sálon
sang-froid	song-fwà
sans	sáns
sans culotte	sàncû-lót
sardine	sardìne
sauté	sôtây
sauterne, sauternes plural	sô-térn
sauvignon blanc	sôvêenyàn-blàn
savant(e)—learned person	sávant
savate	savàte
savoir-faire	sávwà-fãir
savoir-vivre	sávwà-vìvrə
séance	sâyónce
sec	séc
secateur	secatërr
serviette	serviét
silhouette	siluwét
sobriquet	sóbrikây
soi-disant	swà-dêezon
soigné, soignée	swàn-yây
soirée	swàray
soixante-neuf	swàsont-nëf
solfège	solfézh
solitaire	solitãire
son et lumière	sonaylumiére
sorbet	sŏrbay
sortie	sŏrtie
sou coin	= sûe legal, Sûe Susan
soubise	soû bêes
soubrette	soûbrét
soufflé	soûflây
soupçon	soûpsón
sous vide, sous-vide	soô-vêed
souvenir	souvenìr
steak tartare, steack tartare	steâk tartàre
suede (from 'Suède', Sweden)—fabric	= swâyed sway
suite	= swêet sour
suture	sûture
table d’hôte	tàbla-dôte
tábleau, tábleaux plural	táblô, táblôz
tartar(e) (sauce)	tartàr
tarte tatin	tàrt tà-tán
terrine	terrìne
tête-à-tête	tétà-tét
-tion—forming nouns	shən
toque, toque blanche	tóc, tóc blànsh
torque	tŏrk
torsades de pointes—a medical condition involving rapid heartbeat	torsád-də-pwànt
touché	tooshây
toupée	toô-pây
tour de force	toûr de fŏrce
Tour de France	Toûr de Frànce
tourniquet	BrE toûrnikây, AmE türnikit
trâit characteristic	= trây carry
travail	travâil
triage	trîage
triste	trêest
trompe l'œil	trómp-lŏy
troûsseau	trûsô (either stressed)
trouvaille	trouvaî
trouvère	trouvére
unique	yunêek
urine	yùrín
valise	vəlêez
vase	BrE vàz, AmE vâce, vâze
velocipede	velócipede
vermouth	BrE vërməth, AmE vr-moôth
venue	vényû
vichyssoise	vishyswàz
vigneron	vìnyeron
vignette	veenyét
vinaigrette—small ornamental bottle for holding aromatic salts; vinaigrette sauce: salad dressing of oil and wine-vinegar	vinaigrét
vingt-et-un—card game, also known as blackjack or pontoon	vántayán
vis-à-vis—with regard to	víza-vêe, vêezà-vêe
vitrine—glass-panelled cabinet	vitrìne
vive...—long live...	vêev
voilà—there you are, here it is, etc.	vwà-là
vol-au-vent	vóllow-vón
volte-face—about-face: a reversal in policy	= vôlt electric fáss
voyageur	vŏyázh-ër, vwŷázh-ër
voyeur	vŏy-ër, vwŷ-ër