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. Some very common words, such as 'centre' (which retains its French spelling in British English - 'center' in American), have been omitted.

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 show 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 are included here; they are frequently omitted in English usage, and always in cases like 'deception', where the pronunciation has become completely anglicised)	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
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
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
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	= 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
auburn—a moderate brown; of a reddish brown color	åbərn
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—an often broad street or road; a way of access; route	ávenue
aviation—the operation of heavier-than-air aircraft; military airplanes; airplane manufacture, development, and design	âvy-âshən
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
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
bèige—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
blouse—a long loose overgarment that resembles a shirt or smock and is worn especially by workmen, artists, and peasants; the jacket of a uniform; a usually loose-fitting garment especially for women that covers the body from the neck to the waist	blòuz
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
bracelet—an ornamental band or chain worn around the wrist; something (as handcuffs) resembling a bracelet	brâcelet
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
brigade—a large body of troops; a tactical and administrative unit composed of a headquarters, one or more units of infantry or armor, and supporting units; a group of people organized for special activity, such the staff as in a restaurant's kitchen
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
cabinet—a case or cupboard usually having doors and shelves; a collection of specimens, especially of biological or numismatic interest; a console; a chamber having temperature and humidity controls and used especially for incubating biological samples; archaic, a small room providing seclusion; a small exhibition room in a museum; archaic, the private room serving as council chamber of the chief councillors or ministers of a sovereign; the consultations and actions of these councillors; often capitalized: a body of advisers of a head of state; a similar advisory council of a governor of a state or a mayor; British, a meeting of a cabinet; in New England, a milk shake	cábinet
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
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
cadet—a younger brother or son; youngest son; a younger branch of a family or a member of it; one in training for a military or naval commission, especially a student in a service academy	cadét
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	cánard
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
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	shágrin
chalet	shálay
chamois	BrE shámwà, AmE shámmy
Champagne, BrE champagne	shám pâin
chanson	shànson
chanteuse—a female singer	BrE shàn-tëz, AmE shán-tûz
chapeau, chapeaux plural	sháppo, sháppôz
chaperon	sháperôn
charabanc	shárabang
charade	BrE shəràd, AmE shərâde
charcuterie	sharcûterie
chargé d'affaires	shàrzhâydá-fãir
charivari	BrE sharivàri, AmE shivarêe
charlotte	shàrlot
charlotte russe	shàrlot rûss
chartreuse	BrE shartrëuz, AmE shartreûz
chassé	shássay
chasseur	shassur
châssis	shássy
château, châteaux plural	shátto, sháttôz
chateaubriand	shatôbriand
chatelain, chatelaine	shátelain
chauffeur	shô-fër
chef	shéf
chef d'oeuvre	shây-dëvr
chemin de fer card game	shəmánda-fãir
chemise	shəmêez
chemisette	shəmeezét
chenille	chənêe, chənìl
cheque—in BrE, a written order to a bank to pay money, AmE check	= chéck
chequers—in BrE, a pattern of different coloured squares, AmE checkers	= chéckers
cherchez la femme, chercher la femme	shérchèla-fám
cheval-de-frise, chevaux-de-frise	shəváldə frêeze, shəvôdə frêeze
chevalier	shəválêeây
chevelure	shəvəlûre
chèvre	shévra
chez house	= Shây person
chic	shèek
chichi	shêshê
chiffon	shíffon
chiffonade	shiffonàd
chiffonier	shiffónìây
chignon	shìnyon
chinoiserie	shinwazerìe
choucroute	shoô croût
chûte fall	= shoôt shot
cigarette	cigərét
cinema	cínemà, cínemə
cinemathèque	cínematek
cinemaphotograph	cínema phôtograph
cinema verite	cínema véritè
Cítroën ™	Sítrən
claque	cláck
claqueur	clackër
cliché	clêeshây (AmE stresses 2nd syllable)
clientèle	cleeontél
clique	clêek
cloche	clósh
Cointreau, BrE cointreau	quantrô
cocotte	cocót
collage	cóllàzh
college	cóllege
colonnade	colonnâde
colporteur	cólporter
comedienne	comediénne
comme ci, comme ça	comsêe-comsà
comme il faut	comêel-fô
commode	commôde
commune	cómmune
communiqué—official communication or report	commûnikay
compère	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
coryphé(e)	coryfây
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 grace	coôdəgràss
coup de théâtre	coôdətay-átrə
coupé	coûpè
courgette	cŏr-zhét
couscousière	cusscussiér
couture	coutûre
cortège	cŏr-tézh
cravat	cravát
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
cretin	crétin
crevasse	crəváss
crevice	créviss
cri de coeur	crìdə-kër
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
dame	dame
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
décadence	décadence
déception	decéption
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
département	daypàrtmon
dépôt	BrE déppo, AmE dêpo
derailleur	dayrî-yër
déraciné, déracinée	dayrácinay
dérange	derânge
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
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
éclair	eclãir
éclat	è-clà
éclaircissement	eclaircìsmàn
élan	è-làn
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
enclave	énclave, ónclave
encore	óncore
endive	éndíve
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	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
esprit de corps	espreedəcŏr
estaminet	éstáminay
etiquette	étikét
étouffée	ây-toûfay
étude	âytûde
etui	ây-twì
euclase	ëugh-clàz
exposé	expôzây, cf. expôse
façade	fassàd
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
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
flamboyant	flambŏyant
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
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
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	gouache
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
haute, also haut	= ôat, ôh
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
hotel	hotél
hotelier	hotélier
idée fixe	êedây fêex
idiot—	ídiot
image	ímage
impasse	ímpasse, ámpasse
imbécile—	ímbecìle
impromptu	imprómptu
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
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
lieu	lyë
lieutenant	AmE lieuténant, BrE lefténant
littérateur	literatër
lorgnette, lorgnon	lornyét, lornyón
louche	loôsh
lunes	= loôn crazy
luthier—a maker of stringed instruments such as violins or guitars	lûtiər
luxe	lúx, lûx
macabre	macàbre
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
maladroit	maladrŏit
malcontent	málcontént
malice	málíce
malines	malêen
mandoline (also 'mandolin' in English)	mándə-lín
margarine	marjərìne
marionette	marionét
marque type	= màrk write = Màrk person
marquee	= màrr kêy
marquis	màrquís
marquise	markêez
marron	márron
māsque drama	= māsk face
masquerade	maskerâde
massage	mássàzh
masseur	BrE massër, AmE massûr
masseuse	BrE massëz, AmE massûze
matinée	mátinèe
mauve	môve, cf. move, pronounced moôve
mayonnaise	mayonnâise
Médecins sans Frontières	Mâydsàn són Frontiére
mélange	mây-lànzh
ménage à trois	ménàzhà-twà
menagerie	menádgery
menu	ményu
merlon	mérlon
merlot	merlô
Messrs. (abbreviation of Messieurs)	méssers
métier	mâytiây
métis	maytêess
mignonette—	minyonét
milieu	miliëü
minaudière—	minodiér
miracle—divine intervention in human affairs	míracle
mirage—an optical effect; something illusory or unobtainable	míràzh
mirepoix—a sautéed mixture of diced vegetables used as a base for sauces	mêerpwà
moi (first person pronoun)	mwà
Monsieur	Məsyər
montage	móntàzh
montagnard	móntanyar
moquette	mokét
moresque	morésque
mot juste, le mot juste	mô-zhûst, ləmô-zhûst
motif	motif
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
naïve	nî-yêeve
naïveté	nî-yeevì-tây
négligee, négligé	néglizhây
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
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
Pathéthique	patetêek
patois	pátwà, rhyming with fátwà
peignoir—	pâynwàr
penchant	AmE pénchant, BrE pànshàn
pensee	pànsây
perdu or perdue	perdû
père	pére
petit	pətêe
petit bourgeois	pətêe-bŏrzhwa
petite	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	pêeswahr
piste	pêast
plage	plàzh
pláteau, pláteaux plural	pláttô, plátôz; in both, the second syllable is stressed in AmE
plus ça change	ploôssà-shànzh
police	polìce
politesse	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
prelude	prelude
première	prémiãir
prestige	prést-êezh
prie-dieu	prêe-dyü
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 'stand in line'; also '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
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	ríkəshây
riposte	ripóste
risqué	rískây, rêeskây
rôle part	= rôll over, eat
rondure	rondûre
roquefort	BrE róck fŏr, AmE rôkefərt, rôkefŏrt
rosé wine	ro-zây
rosette	rozét
rotisserie	rotíssery
roué	roôwây
rouge—red powder for facial colouring	roûzh
roulette	roulét
roux	roû
sabotage	sábotàzh
sage	sâge
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	savànt male, savànte female
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
soiree	swàray
soixante-neuf	swàsont-nëf
solfège	solfézh
solitaire	solitãire
son et lumière	sonaylumiére
sorbet	sŏrbay
sortie	sŏrtie
sou coin	= 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 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	toque, toque blanche
torque	torque
torsades de pointes—a medical condition involving rapid heartbeat	torsád-də-pwànt
touché	tooshây
tour de force	toûr de fŏrce
Tour de France	Toûr de Frànce
tourniquet	BrE toûrnikây, AmE türnikit
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
vice	vîce
vichyssoise	vishyswàz
vignette	veenyét
village	víllij
vingt-et-un blackjack	vántayán
vis-à-vis	víza-vêe, vêezà-vêe
visage	vízij
vive...	vêev
voilà	vwà-là
vol-au-vent	vóllow-vón
voyageur	vŏyázh-ër, vwŷázh-ër
voyeur	vŏy-ër, vwŷ-ër