List of English words of French origin
Words of French origin have entered other languages. Many of those words in turn have their origins in Latin , and sometimes in Greek .
It is via French that many Latin words have come to the English language . Most of the French vocabulary in English was imported in the centuries following the Norman Conquest of 1066 , when England began to be administered by Norman -speaking Normans . According to different sources , from one third to two third of English words have a French origin. This implies a minima that 30.000 words should be reported in this list.
Some words may have a complex origin, as French comes partially from the group of Germanic languages, as English does.
A
abandon
abase, from Old French, compare modern Fr. abaisser
abash
abatis
abattoir , from abattre to kill [an animal] or cut down [a tree]
abbatial (Fr. abbatial )
abbey
abbreviation , from abréviation
abet
abhor (Old Fr. abhorrer )
ability
abjection
ablation (Fr. ablation )
ablative
able, from Old French, compare modern Fr. habile
ablution
abnormal compare anormal
aboard (Fr. à bord )
abolish, compare abolir
abomination
abortive
abound
abridge
absence
absolute, from Middle French, compare modern Fr. absolu
absorb (Fr. absorber )
abstain (Old Fr. abstenir )
abstinence
abstract
abstruse
absurd (Fr. absurde )
abundance (Old Fr. abundance )
abuse
academic (Fr. académique )
academy , compare académie
Acadia (Fr. Acadie )
acceleration (Fr. accélération )
accent (Fr. accent )
accept
access (Fr. accès )
accession
accident
acclimate (Fr. acclimater )
accolade (Fr. accolade )
accommodation
accompany (Fr. accompagner )
accomplice (Fr. complice )
accomplish (Fr. accomplir )
accord
accost
account
accoutre
accoutrement (Fr. accoutrement )
accredit
accrue
accusation
accusative (Old Fr. accusatif )
accuse
accustom (Old Fr. acostumer , now accoutumer )
ace , compare as
acid , compare acide
acoustic , compare acoustique
aquisitive
acquit
acrobat
acrostic, compare acrostiche
action
activity, compare activité
adaptation
adhesive , compare adhésif or feminine form adhésive
adieu, which literally means "to God" (à Dieu), farewell
adjective , compare adjectif
administer
admire, compare admirer
adolescence
adopt , compare adopter
adore, from Old French, compare modern Fr. adorer
adroit
advantage, compare avantage
adventure , from Old French, compare modern Fr. aventure
adverb , compare adverbe
adversary, from Old French, compare modern Fr. adversaire
advertisement , compare avertissement (warning)
advise, compare aviser (to assess [a situation])
advocate (noun), from Old French avocat - in modern French this means an attorney or lawyer
affair , from Old French, compare modern Fr. affaire (business)
affection
affiliation
affinity, compare affinité
affliction
affluence
age
agent provocateur
aggression , compare agression
à gogo, or a-go-go, in abundance
agreeable, compare agréable
aide-de-camp
à la ..., in the style of...
alabaster , from Old French alabastre (>Latin> Greek> Ancient Egyptian a-labaste )
à la carte
alas, from Old French, compare modern Fr. hélas
alert, compare alerte
align, compare aligner
allocation
allure, look or air
almond , from Old French, compare modern Fr. amande ; compare also Spanish almandra
altar, from autel
amateur
ambiguous, from ambigu
ambition
ambergris , from ambre gris
ambulance
amnesty , compare amnistie
amorous, from Old French, compare modern Fr. amoureux
ample
amplitude
amusement
analyse, compare analyser
anarchism
anarchist (Fr. anarchiste )
anatomy , compare anatomie
ancestor , from Old French, compare modern Fr. ancêtre
ancient, compare ancien
angle
Anglophobe, someone who fears England or the English
anglophone , a speaker of English (Fr. anglophone )
anguish (from Old French anguisse , now angoisse )
anise
annals
annex , compare annexer
annihilation
announce
annoy, from Old French ennuyer or anoier , compare modern French ennui
annual
annuity
annular
anoint, compare oindre
anomie
antecedent, compare antécédent
anther , compare anthère
antique
apartment , compare appartement
apathy , compare apathie
aplomb
apostrophe
apparel, from Old French, compare modern Fr. appareil
application
appliqué
apprehend, compare appréhender
après-ski
apropos, compare à propos
arcade
archetype
area, from aire
arête , a mountainous ridge
argent (Fr. argent )
argue, from Old French, compare modern Fr. arguer
army , compare armée
artificial, from artificiel
artist
assembly
assume, from assumer (old meaning : to suppose)
assurance
attack
attaché
attorney
attitude
aubergine , British name for eggplant
au naturel
authority
avenue (Fr. avenue )
average
averment
aversion (Fr. aversion )
avert
aviation (Fr. aviation )
avid
avocet
avoid (Old Fr. evuider )
avoirdupois
avouch
avow
axiom (Fr. axiome )
aye-aye
azimuth (from Old French, from Arabic as-sumut )
azure (Old Fr. azur , from Old Spanish azur , from Arabic, in turn from Persian)
B
baggage, from Old French bagage
ballet
band, from bande
bandeau, a type of headdress
banquet
barge
baron
baroque
barren, from Old French
base
Bâton Rouge
battle
bay, compare baie
bayonet , compare baïonnette
beagle
beak , compare bec
Béarnaise, a type of sauce
beau, a lover or a dandy
beauty
beast
beaux arts, fine arts
beef
beret , compare béret
bête noire
bicycle , compare bicyclette
bidet
bikini
billet
billet-doux, a love letter
biscuit
bistro
bivouac
bizarre
blanket, from Old French blankete
blasé
bloc
blonde
boast
boil (Old Fr. boilir )
Boise
bomb
bombard
bombe
bon appétit
bon mot
bonnet , from Old French, compare modern Fr. bonnet
bon-vivant
bon voyage
bon-bon
bouillabaisse
boule
boulevard
bound (leap), from bond
bouquet
bourgeoisie
boy (may be from Norman French 'embuier'="in chains", meaning 'a slave')
bracelet
bran , from Old French bran or bren
brandish, compare brandir
brasserie
brassiere , compare brassière , although the modern French for this is soutien-gorge
brave
bravery
bravo
bric-à-brac or bric-a-brac
brigade
brilliant, compare brillant
brioche
briquette
brochure, from brocher - to stitch
broderie anglaise, a type of embroidery
brunette
buckle, compare boucle
budget , from Old Fr. bougette (a little purse)
buffet
bullet , from boulette , although the modern French for this is balle
bureau
button, from bouton
C
cabal , compare cabale
cabaret
cadet
café
cafetière
cagoule
cajole, compare cajoler
calque
camaraderie
camouflage
camp
campaign , compare campagne
canapé
canard , aeronautical term
to cancel, from canceller , evolution of chanceler (1293) (to cross out)
capacity
cape , compare cap , land jutting into the sea, as in Cape Horn
captain
car
card , compare carte
career , compare carrière
casserole
cassette
castle
castor
casual, compare casuel
casuist, compare casuiste
cataclysm
catalogue
catch
category
caterpillar
catholic
cattle
cause
cavalry , compare cavalerie
celebrate, from célébrer
cement (Old Fr. ciment )
cense, compare encenser
censer (Old Fr. censier )
centime (Fr. centime )
centre (Old Fr. centre )
chaise longue or sometimes chaise lounge
chalet
chalice, from calice
chance
change
character, from caractère
chase, compare chasse
château
chatelaine
chattel
chauffeur
chauvinism
cheat
check (Old Fr. eschec )
checkmate, compare échec et mat
cheer
chef
chemise
chemist, from chimiste
cherish, from chérir
cherry , from cerise
cheval de frise , a military term
cheval-glass, from cheval - horse
chiffon
chivalry
cinema , compare cinéma
city, from cité
claim , from clamer
clairvoyance
clarinet , compare clarinette
classic
cliché
cloche , a kind of hat
closet , from Old French closet
Coeur d'Alene
coiffeuse
collage
collar, from collier , from cou (neck)
colonel , compare modern Fr. colonel
combustible
comedian and comedienne, compare comédien and comédienne
comic, from comique (funny)
commandant, commanding officer
commendation
commode
common
communion
communiqué
communism (Fr. communisme )
community, from Old Fr. comunalté , modern Fr. communauté
company (milit.), from compagnie
competent
competitor
complete
comrade, from camarade
concede, from concéder
congratulations
convenient, from convenant , convenable
cordon
cormorant , compare cormoran
cornet
corniche
corps
corset
costume
cotton (Old Fr. 'coton')
council
count
county (Old Fr. cunte )
counter
counterfeit , from Old French, compare modern Fr. contrefaire
country (Old Fr. cuntree )
coup
couple
coupon
courage (Old Fr. corage )
courageous
courgette , in the UK, but called zuchinni in the US
courier
course
court
courtesy
couscous
cousin (Old Fr. cosin )
couture
couturier
cover (Old Fr. covrir )
crème brûlée
crème caramel
crème de menthe
crêpe
croupier
crouton
crown, from couronne
cuisine
cul-de-sac
culotte
cult (Fr. culte )
culture (Fr. culture )
custom , from Old French, compare modern Fr. coutume
D
dais, from Old French deis
dalmatic (Old Fr. dalmatique )
dame
damage
damn (Fr. damner )
déclassé
décolletage
décor or decor
découpage
defamation, from diffamation
default , from Old French, compare modern Fr. défaut
defeat
déjà vu
de luxe
demi-monde
démodé
denouement
dépanneur
deploy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. déployer
derail, compare dérailler
derive
derogation (Fr. dérogation )
derrière
descend
desert
Des Moines (Fr. des moines of the monks)
dessert
detachment
detail
detain
détente
determine
detonation
detriment
Detroit (Fr. détroit = strait)
deuce, from deux (two)
develop[ment]
deviation
device (Old Fr. devis )
devise
devoid
devotion
devour (Old Fr. devorer )
devout
diabolical
diadem
diamanté
diet
digestion
dignity (Old Fr. dignete )
dilate
diligence
dime (Old Fr. disme )
diplomacy , compare diplomatie
direction (Fr. direction )
disadvantage
disappoint
disarm (Old Fr. desarmer )
discothèque or discotheque, thus disco
disguise
disport (Old Fr. desporter )
diverse
divinity
division
Dixie (Fr. dix ten)
double entendre
dozen , from Old French, compare modern Fr. douzaine
dressage
duvet
E
eager, from Old French aigre
eagle , from Old French, compare modern Fr. aigle
easy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. aisé
echelon, compare échelon
éclair
ecstasy , from Old French, compare modern Fr. extase
eloquence , compare éloquence
emigré
emperor (Old Fr. emperere )
empire
emplacement
employ (Old Fr. employer )
empress
enclave
encore
encourage, from Old French, compare modern Fr. encourager
endive
endue
endure
endurance
enfranchise
engage
enemy , from Old French, compare modern Fr. ennemi
energy (Fr. énergie )
engage, compare engager
enmity, from Old French, compare modern Fr. inimitié
ennui
enrage, compare enrager
enrich, compare enrichir
ensemble
en suite
ensure, from 'assurer entente
enter, compare entrer
entomb, from Old French, compare modern Fr. entomber
entrant
entrée (but is first part of the meal in French)
entrepreneur (Fr. from entreprendre undertake)
envelope , compare enveloppe
environ, from Old French, compare modern Fr. environs
environment[al]
envisage, compare envisager
envoy, compare envoyé
envy , compare envier
epaulet or epaulette, compare épaulette
épée
ephebe, from éphèbe
ephemeral, from "éphémère
epic, from épique
epicurean, from épicurien
epidemic, from épidémie
epilogue
episcopal
episode
epithet, from épithète
épris
equal, from égal
equality , from Old French, compare modern Fr. égalité
equation
equilibrate, from équilibrer
equipage, compare équipage
équipe
equipment, from équipement
equitable
equity, from équité
eradicate, compare éradiquer
erase, from araser
erect, from ériger (to build)
ermine
erode , compare éroder
escapade
escargot
escarpment
essence
establish (Old Fr. establisse )
estate (Old Fr. estat )
ether
etiquette , étiquette
Eucharist (Old Fr. eucariste )
European , compare européen
evangelist , compare évangéliste
evaporation , compare évaporation
evasion, compare évasion
example
exclamation
exhibition , from Old French exhibicion
expire, compare expirer
exploit , compare exploiter
exposé or expose
extraction (Fr. extraction )
extraordinaire
extravagance
F
fabric , compare fabrique
fabulous
face
facile
factor
faience , compare faïence
failure
fanfare
fantastic
fantasy , compare fantaisie
farce
farm
fashion , from Old French façon
fatigue
fault, from faute
faux pas
feast
feint, compare feinte
felicity, from Old French, compare modern Fr. félicité
felon, from Old French, compare modern Fr. félon
feminine , compare féminin
fertility , compare fertilité
fête
figure
fillet, compare filet
film noir finance
fine , compare fin
flageolet
flambé
flan
flèche
fleur-de-lis
flexible
flirt , from fleuretter , conter fleurette
floret, from Old French, compare modern Fr. fleurette
florin
floss
flourish
flower (Old Fr. flour )
fluid , compare fluide
folly , from Old French, compare modern Fr. folie
fondant
font (Fr. fonte )
fool (Old Fr. fol )
force majeure
fork, from fourche and diminutive fourchette
foreign
forest , from Old French, compare modern Fr. forêt
foyer
fracas
fraction , from Old French, compare modern Fr. fraction
francophone, a speaker of French (Fr. francophone )
frappé
frigate , compare frégate
frisson
fritter, compare friture
frontier
fuselage
fusible
fusion
futile
future, from futur
G
gabardine
gaffe
gallant, compare galant
gallop, from galop
galvanize
ganache
gangrene
gangue
garage
garter , from Old French, compare modern Fr. jarretière
gasket
gâteau or gateau
gauche
gay, from gai (merry, with no sexual meaning)
gel
gelatin(e), from gélatine
gem, from gemme
general
generic
generozity
generous
gender, from genre
genial
genius, from génie
gent
gentle, from Old Fr. gentil (both noble and sweet)
genteel
gently, from gentiment
gesticulation
gesture, from geste (movement)
giant
gigantism
gigolo
gleet (Old Fr. glette )
glissade
globe (Fr. globe )
global
goblet, from Old Fr. gobelet (a deep cup)
gondolier
gorge
gorgeous
gouache
gourmet
govern, governance, government, governor
grace
gracious, from Old French, compare modern Fr. gracieux
grammar , from Old French, compare modern Fr. grammaire
grand
grant
gratin
grief
group
gruel, from gruau
guard, from garde
guide
guild, from guilde
guillotine
gulf , from Old French, compare modern Fr. golfe
H
harlequin , from Arlequin , a character from the Italian comedy
haste, from OF. (Compare contemporary French hâte )
haute couture hazard (Old Fr. hasard )
Hollandaise
honour or honor, Old French, compare modern Fr. honneur
hors d'œuvre
hotel , compare hôtel
huge (Old Fr. ahuge )
humanity (Old Fr. humanité )
I
illustration
ignore
ignorance
ignorant
imagine
imaginative
immediate
imbecile , compare imbécile
indictment
infant
influence
influx
inform
information (Old Fr. information )
infrastructure
infusion
ingénue
injustice (from injustice )
insurance, from assurance
insurgent, from insurgé
insurmountable, from insurmontable
insurrection
intact
integer, from entier ,intègre
integrate, from intégrer
integrity
integrant
intellect[ual]
intelligence
intention
intercession
interchange
intercourse
interdict
interest
interfere
interlace
intense
intrinsic, compare intrinsèque
ivory , from Old French, compare modern Fr. ivoire
J
jack , Old Fr. jaque or jacque , a garment, from Jacques , general nickname for peasants who used to wear this garment (see jacket)
jacket , Old Fr. jaquette , diminutive form of jaque
jade
j'adoube
jargon
jelly
je ne sais quoi
jet
jetty
jew , from Old French giu
jewel , from joyau
joie de vivre
join, from joindre
joint
journey , from la journée [the day] (the distance you may walk or ride within one day)
judge , from juge
juggle , from jongler
juggler
justice , from Old French, compare modern Fr. justice
K
L
label
labour or labor, compare labourer
lace
lackey , compare laquais
laissez-faire
lamé
lancer
lancet
language (Old Fr. langage )
L'Anse aux Meadows (Fr. L'anse aux méduses )
large
largess
latrine
launder
laundry
laurel
lave
laver (Fr. laveoir )
lay, literary sense
leisure , from Old French, compare modern Fr. loisir
liaison
lias
libel, from Old Fr. un libelle (short memorandum)
liberal
liberty (from Old Fr . liberté )
library
license
licorice
lieu
lieutenant
limousine
lingerie
liquor , from liqueur
litre
lorgnette
Louisiana (Fr. Louisiane land of Louis XIV )
Louisville (named after Louis XVI )
loupe
love (as used in tennis)
lozenge , from Old French, compare modern Fr. losange
luminary, compare luminaire
lustre
M
machine
madam , from Old French ma dame , my lady
mail
Maine (name of a former French province)
maintain
maintenance
maisonette, compare maisonnette
maître d'hôtel, also maitre d' or maitre dee
majesty
majority
maladroit
malinger
mange-tout
manger
mannequin
manœuvre or manœuver, compare manœuvre
mannequin
maquis
mardi gras
marine , compare marin
marmalade , compare marmelade
marriage , compare mariage
marshal , from Old French, compare modern Fr. maréchal
marvel
marvelous, from merveilleux
mascot
masculine
mask , compare masque
masque
mass (Old Fr. masse )
massacre , compare massacrer
massage
masseuse
mathematics
matron
mattress, from Old French, compare modern Fr. matelas
May , compare mai
Mayday , from m'aider which means literally to help me
medal , compare médaille
mediocre, compare médiocre
mêlée
memory
ménage à trois
mercy
meridian
merit
merle
merlin
merlon
meringue
mésalliance
mesclun
mess
message
messenger
Messiah (Old Fr. Messie )
messianic (Fr. messianique )
military
mille-feuille
Mille Lacs (USA), means thousand lakes
milliard (Fr. milliard )
million
miniature
mine , as in a coal mine
minister (Old Fr. ministre )
minstrel
mitten, compare mitaine
modern
modify
module
moi
moil
moist (Old Fr. moiste )
moment (Old Fr. moment )
monad
monarch
monarchism
monarchy (from monarchie )
monetary
money (Old Fr moneie )
monition
monobloc
monocle
monogamy (Fr. monogamie )
monogram
monolith
monologue (Fr. monologue )
montage
morgue
mortality
mosaic (Fr. mosaïque )
motif
mot juste
mount
mousse
moustache or mustache, compare moustache
move (Old Fr. moveir )
movement
muffle
mule, as a type of footwear
murder (Old Fr. murdre )
muscle
mustard , from Old French, compare modern Fr. moutarde
mutton
mystery (Old Fr. mistere )
mystic
mystique
N
nacelle
naïve
née or nee, feminine past participle of naître to be born
Nez perce (Fr. Nez percés = Pierced noses)
niche
nicotine , from Jean Nicot
noble
noblesse oblige
nonpareil
nouveau
nouveau riche
nouveau roman
nouvelle cuisine
nouvelle vague
novel
novelty
november
novice (Old Fr. novice )
nuance
nuisance
null
nullity (Fr. nullité )
number (Old Fr. nombre )
numerator
numismatic
nun (Old Fr. nonne )
nurse
nurture
nutrition (Fr. nutrition )
nutritive
nymph (Old Fr. nimphe )
O
object, from objet
oboe (via Italian)
œuvre
offend
offense (Fr. offense )
office
officer (Old Fr. officier )
official
ogive (Fr. ogive )
ogre
oil
ointment (Old Fr. oignement )
olive
omelet or omelette, compare omelette
omission
omnibus
opacity
opal
operation
opinion
opportune
opportunism (Fr.opportunisme )
opportunity
oppose
opposite
opposition (Old Fr. opposition )
oppress
oppressive
optative (Fr. optatif )
optician
optimism (Fr. optimisme )
option
oracle (Old Fr. oracle )
orange (Old Fr. orenge )
ordain, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ordonner
order
organic
organism
organize
orgy
origin
original
ornament
ornithopter
orpine
orthography , from Old French, compare modern Fr. orthographe
oubliette
P
pachyderm, compare pachyderme
palace, from palais
palm, from paume
pansy (Fr. pensée )
pant (Old Fr. pantaisier )
pantaloon (Fr. pantalon )
panther (Old Fr. pantère)
papier mâché
parade
paragon, from Old French, compare modern Fr. parangon
parent
parentage
parfait
parley
parliament
part
partial, from Old French, compare modern Fr. partial
partisan
passion
passive
passport
paste
pastel
pastiche
pastille
pastor
pasture
pasturage
pasty
pastry
patch
pâté
patent
paternity
pathetic
pathology
patience
patient
patisserie
pause (Old Fr. pause )
pawn
peace
pell-mell
pelt
pen, from penne (long feather)
penal
pencil
pension
pensive
penthouse (Old Fr. apentis )
people
perchance
perceiver
perch
perdition
perfect
perfection
person
petite
petulant, compare pétulant
phial
philanthropic (Fr. philanthropique )
philately (Fr. philatélie )
philharmonic
philosophize (Fr. philosopher )
philosophy (Old Fr. filosofie)
philtre (Fr. philtre )
phlebotomy
phlegm
pied à terre
piety from Old French, compare modern Fr. piété
pipe
pipette
piquant
piqué
piss (Old Fr. pisser )
pistol
pistole
plantation (Old Fr. plantation )
plaque
plash
plastic (Fr. plastique )
plat du jour
plate
plateau
platform (Fr. plateforme )
platoon (Fr. peloton )
platter
plebiscite (Fr. plébiscite )
plea (Old Fr. plait )
please (Old Fr. plaisir )
pleasant (Old Fr. plaisant )
pleasantry (Old Fr. plaisanterie )
pleasure (Old Fr. plesir )
plead
pledge (Old Fr. plege )
plié
plumage
plumb
plumber (Old Fr. plommier )
plume, nom de plume
plural (Old Fr. pluriel )
plurality
plus ça change
plush
pneumatic
poach, as in cookery, from Old French, compare modern Fr. pocher
poem (Fr. poème )
poesy (Old Fr. poesie )
poetic (Fr. poétique )
policy, from police (as a contract)
populace (Fr. populace )
popular
pork
porous
porpoise
port (Old Fr. port )
portage
porter
portion
portmanteau
pose, compare poser
position (Old Fr. position )
positive (Old Fr. positif )
posology
possess (Old Fr. possesser )
possibility
possible (Old Fr. possible )
post , compare poste
poultry
poutine
power (Old Fr. poeir )
practical (Old Fr. practique )
practise
precious
pregnant
prejudice
premier (Fr. = first)
premiere (Fr. première )
prepare
prerogative
presence
present
prêt-à-porter
pretend
pretense
prince
princess
princical
principality (Old Fr. principalité )
principle
print
prison
prize
proof (Old Fr. proeve )
pronoun (Fr. pronom )
pronounce
pronunciation
proper (Old Fr. propre )
property
prophecy (Old Fr. profecie )
prophesy
proportion (Old Fr. proportion )
propose, from proposer
proposition (Old Fr. proposition )
prorogue
prosaic
prose (Old Fr. prose )
prosecution
protection (Old Fr. protection )
protein
protestation
protocol (Old Fr. prothocole )
proud (Old Fr. prud )
province (Old Fr. province )
provincial
purify
purification (Old Fr. purification )
purpose, form propos
putty
Q
qualify
quality
quantity
quarter
quartet
quartier
quatrain
quatrefoil
quay
queasy
Québécois
quest
question
questionnaire
queue
quiche
quiet
quilt
quintessence
quintuple
quit
quittance
quotidian
R
rabble (Fr. râble)
raison d'être
rare
rarefy
rarity
ratatouille
rat
rate
ration
rave
real, from réel
realm
reason
reasonable
rebound
receipt, from un reçu , un récépissé
receive (Old Fr. receivre , modern Fr. recevoir )
reception
receptor
recitation
recite
reclaim
regognize
recognizance
recoil
recollection
Récollet
reconnoitre, compare reconnaître
record
recorder (Old Fr. recordeur )
recover
recovery
recreation
recruit
rector
rectory
regret , from Old French, compare modern Fr. regretter
reign, from régnier
remain (Old. Fr. remaindre )
remark
remarkable
rendezvous
reservoir
rest
restaurant
restauranteur, compare restaurateur
resume
résumé
rime
riposte
risqué
rock (Old Fr. ro(c)que )
role , compare rôle
roll
Roman
romantic
rotisserie
rouge
roué
roulette
round
roundel
rouse
rout (Old Fr. route )
routine
roux
royal (Old Fr. roial )
royalty
rubble
rubric
rush (Old Fr. ruser )
ruse
russet
rut
S
sabot
sabotage
saboteur
sachet
sacrament , compare sacrement
Saint Louis (named for Louis IX )
salon
saloon , compare salon
satin
sauce
sauté
savage
sauve-qui-peut
savant
savate
save (Anglo-fr. sa(u)ver, Old Fr. salver)
savoir faire
scepter
scholar
science
screw (Old Fr. escroue )
seal
séance
search (Old Fr. cerchier )
season
second
sensitive
sentence (Old Fr. sentence )
sentiment, from Old French, compare modern Fr. sentiment
sentinel
sepal
separable
separation
septilion (from sept seven)
sepulchre
sepulchral
sequester
serf (Old Fr. serf )
sergeant or serjeant, from Old French, compare modern Fr. sergent
servant
sex
shop (Old Fr. ashoppe )
similitude (Old Fr. similitude )
simple (Old Fr. simple )
skate
slice
slot (Old Fr. esclot )
snye
sober
sobriety
sobriquet
sociable (Fr. sociable )
social (Fr. social )
socialism (Fr. socialisme )
society (Fr. société )
socket
soil
soiree (Fr. soirée )
sojourn (Old Fr. sojorn )
solder
sole
solemnize
solicit (Old Fr. solliciter )
solicitor (Old Fr. solliciteur )
solid
solidarity (Fr. solidarité )
soldier
sombre (Fr. sombre )
sort
soufflé
sound
soupçon
sovereign
sovereignist (Fr. souverainiste )
spirit (Old Fr. esprit )
spiritual
stage, from Old French, compare modern Fr. stage
state
stereotype , compare stéréotype
story
stray
stress (Old Fr. estresse )
structure (Old Fr. structure )
study
stuff (Old Fr. estoffe , modern Fr. étoffe )
stupid
sturgeon , from esturgeon
subject, from sujet
subtle
subtlety
succession
successor
succumb
succour
suffer
sufficient
suit, from Old Fr. seoir
suitor
superior
superlative
support
suppose
sure
surety
surface
surgeon
surgery
surgical
surmise
surmount
surname
surpass
surplus
surprise
surrender
surrealism (Fr. surréalisme )
suspend
suspense (Fr. suspens )
suspension
sustain
system
T
tablature
table
tableau
tablet
tailor, from tailleur
talc
tally
talon
tambour
tamp
tampon
tapestry
tapis
target
tariff (Fr. tarif )
tarot
tarnish (Fr. ternir )
Tartar (Old Fr. Tartare )
tart, as in cookery, compare tarte
task
taste
taupe
tax (Old Fr. taxer )
taximeter (Fr. taximètre )
teat
telegraph (Fr. télégraphe )
temporal (Old Fr. temporel )
temporize
tempt (Old Fr. tempter )
tenant
tench (Old Fr. tenche )
tend (Old Fr. tend )
tender
tendon (Fr. tendon )
tennis (Old Fr. Tenez , to start the game)
terrace, from terrasse
terrible
terror (from terrour )
terrorism (first used during French Revolution)
theatre
theology (Old Fr. theologie )
theorem (Fr. théorème )
therapeutics (Fr. thérapeutique )
thermal
toilet , compare toilette
tonne
torrid
tortuous
torture
touché
tout de suite or toot sweet, compare tout de suite
transparent
trial
triangle
tribe
trompe l'œil
troop , from troupe
tyrant (from Fr. tyran , through Latin tyrannus and Greek turannos )
U
V
veal, from veau
ventre à terre
verdigris, from vert de gris , the colour of the copper oxide
verdict
Vermont (from les verts monts the green mountains)
versatile
verse
version
vert
vertical
very
vesper
vest
view
victory
vigour
vile
villain
village
vintage
viol (Old Fr. viel(l)e )
violence
violent
vin (vin blanc , vin rouge , vin rosé , etc)
vintage
virgin (Old Fr. virgine )
virginal
virtue
vis-a-vis
visible
visibility
viscount
vogue
voice
voilà
void
volant
volatile
volley
volte-face
voluble
volume
voluntary
volunteer
voluptuous
volute
voodoo (from a West African language)
voyeur
W
X
Y
yogurt (Fr. yogourt , from Turkish yogurt )
Z
zebu (the French word is of Tibetan origin)
zone (Fr. zone , from Latin zona , from Greek zone )
See also
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