Literature – from the Old French word littératureĥ5. Liaison – from the French word liaisonĥ4. Laissez-faire – from the French word laissez-faire (leave things to take their course)ĥ3. Lacrosse – from the Canadian French word la crosse (the stick)ĥ2. Kilogram – from the French word kilogrammeĥ1. Jubilee – from the Middle French word jubile (modern French jubilé)ĥ0. Irony – from the Middle French word ironieĤ9. Insult – from the Middle French words insult (noun) and insulter (verb)Ĥ8. Illusion – from the Old French word illusionĤ7. Identity – from the Middle French word identitéĤ6. Homage – from the Old French word homageĤ5. Heritage – from the Old French word eritage ( héritage in modern French)Ĥ3. Gazette – from the French word gazetteĤ2. Gastronomy – from the French word gastronomieĤ1. Gallery – from the Old French word galerieģ9. Film noir – from the French word film noir (a film genre)ģ8. Faux-pas – from the French word faux pasģ7. Faux, as in faux fur – from the French word faux (false)ģ5. Expatriate – from the French word expatrierģ4. Envisage – from the French word envisagerģ2. Energy – from the Middle French word énergieģ1. Elite – from the Old French word elit (chosen)Ģ9. Eau de toilette – from the French word eau de toiletteĢ8. Dossier – from the French word dossierĢ7. Detour – from the French word détour (from détourner)Ģ6. Delegate – from the Old French word delegatĢ5. Déjà vu – from the French words déjà (already) and vu (seen – past participle of ‘voir’)Ģ4. Debris – from the French word débris (broken, crumbled)Ģ3. Cul-de-sac – from the French word cul-de-sac (bottom of the bag/sack)Ģ2. Connoisseur – from the French word connoisseurĢ1. Chic – from the French word chic (elegant)Ģ0. Chauffeur – from the French word chauffeurġ8. Champagne – from the French word champagneġ7. Cabaret – from the French word cabaretġ6. Bureau – from the French word bureau (desk, office)ġ4. Brunette – from the French word brunetteġ3. Bon voyage – from the French phrase bon voyage (have a good journey)ġ2. Baguette – from the French word baguette (stick)ġ1. Bachelor – from the Anglo-Norman word bacheler ( bachelier in modern French)Ĩ. Aviation – from the French word aviationħ. Avant-garde – from the French word avant-gardeĦ. Apéritif – from the French word apéritifĥ. Attaché – from the French word attaché (attached)Ĥ. Apostrophe – from the French word apostropheģ. Allowance – from the Old French word alouance (payment)Ģ. Here are 99 common French words used in English, and their meaningġ. Let’s start with 99 (we thought any more might be a bit much!). There exists around 7,000 French words in the English language at present.īelieve it or not, though, there were plenty more English words that came from French (and typically Latin) roots originally – around 10,000, to be exact.ĭo any examples come to mind? At this point, I’m sure you’re desperate to see some examples of English words with French origins… How many French words are there in English? If you are on your way to learn French, try Busuu today to make your language learning journey more fun and motivating! With free online courses and learning resources, you are guaranteed to learn French in no time! Start learning for free There are plenty of Spanish words in English, and a good handful of Japanese words in English, too. Since then, French phrases and words – funny quirks and all – continued to make their way into the English language.Īnd French isn’t the only language that has made its mark on the English language. Under Norman rule, Anglo-Norman French began to influence the language of administration, law and culture in England, and hence making its mark on the English language. The Norman Conquest of 1066 was a key event that led to French words being used in England.įollowing the conquest, England was ruled by the Normans who spoke a northern form of Old French called Anglo-Norman French. The origin of the English language is a topic linguists love to debate.Īlthough English is a Germanic language, it shares a lot of vocabulary with French – a Romance language. We’ve put together some responses to some of the most common questions about the French presence in the English language for you, plus 99 examples of how English words didn’t fall too far from the French tree.Įverything you’ve ever wanted, right? Why are there French words in the English language? Some of these French phrases in English (otherwise known as cognates!) are borrowed directly from the French language, while others have evolved from French origins. You’re probably aware that we regularly use plenty of French words in English.īut did you know that English is so close to the French language, that around 30% of English words come from the language of love?
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