1,000 French verbs

faire

to do; to make

avoir

to have; to own; to possess; to get

dire

to say, to tell (to express through speech)

voir

to see (visually)

prendre

to take

aller

to go

mettre

to put; to place

parler

to speak, talk

savoir

to know a fact; to know how

pouvoir

can, to be able to

partir

to go away, leave, depart

passer

to pass; to go past

trouver

to find; to retrieve something lost, turn up something hidden, or encounter something previously unknown to one

donner

to give, to transfer the possession/holding of something to someone else

jouer

to play (engage in games or play)

lire

to read

rendre

to give back

vivre

to live

sortir

to exit, go out, come out

venir

to come (to move from one place to another that is nearer the speaker)

croire

to believe (someone)

laisser

to leave, to leave behind

comprendre

to understand, comprehend

demander

to ask

changer

to change; to exchange

rester

to stay

aider

to help; to aid

penser

to think, reflect, concentrate one's mind on something

chercher

to look for, to seek

devenir

to become

arrêter

to stop, to come to a standstill; to halt, to stop from moving

utiliser

to use, to utilize

regarder

to look at

travailler

to work

acheter

to purchase; buy

attendre

to wait for, to await

manger

to eat

perdre

to lose (be unable to find)

payer

to pay (for)

répondre

to reply, to answer

suivre

to follow (literal sense)

gagner

to win

retrouver

to find (again); to rediscover

arriver

to arrive (often followed by a location)

devoir

must, to have to, should (as a requirement)

éviter

to avoid

entendre

to hear

porter

to carry

créer

to create

obtenir

to get, to obtain

apprendre

to learn

essayer

to try; to try on

commencer

to begin, commence

montrer

to show

connaître

to know (of), to be familiar with (a person, place, fact, event)

assurer

to assure, to ensure, to make sure

tomber

to fall

continuer

to continue

revenir

to come back, to return

tenir

to have; to hold

expliquer

to explain

garder

to keep; to retain; to store; to save

permettre

to permit, to allow (to grant permission or access)

vouloir

to want, wish, desire

écrire

to write

envoyer

to send

ouvrir

to open

oublier

to forget

poser

to stop carrying, to put down (something or somebody)

finir

to finish, end, complete

vendre

to sell

choisir

to choose

compter

to count

découvrir

to discover

rentrer

to go back, to re-enter

recevoir

to receive

rencontrer

to meet

rire

to laugh

servir

to serve (to help in a shop; to bring a meal to someone)

présenter

to present, to introduce

entrer

to enter

tuer

to kill

protéger

to protect

remettre

to put back, replace

tirer

to draw, drag, pull

appeler

to call (out)

mourir

to die; to be dying

participer

to participate

quitter

to leave, to quit

twitter

to tweet (to post to Twitter)

atteindre

to attain

offrir

to offer; to provide

empêcher

to stop; to prevent; to hinder

conseiller

to advise

écouter

to listen

rappeler

to call again; to call back

rejoindre

to join, to join up

ajouter

to add, append

défendre

to defend

monter

to go up, to climb (go to a higher position)

réaliser

to carry out; to realize; to direct a film

reprendre

to take back, recover, regain

revoir

to see again

construire

to build

partager

to share

préparer

to prepare

tenter

to attempt

lancer

to throw

réduire

to reduce

sentir

to smell (to have a certain odor)

sourire

to smile

tourner

to turn; to change (direction); to rotate; to spin

agir

to act, to do (something)

battre

to beat; to defeat

accepter

to accept

améliorer

to improve, better, ameliorate

développer

to develop

gérer

to manage

profiter

to take advantage of, make the most of, enjoy

sauver

to save, rescue; to protect

aimer

to love (usually of a person, otherwise the meaning is closer to English like)

dormir

to sleep

augmenter

to increase

soutenir

to support

produire

to produce, to yield

boire

to drink

retourner

to return; to go back (intransitive)

apporter

to bring (something)

occuper

to occupy, to take up

toucher

to touch (physically)

vérifier

to verify

discuter

to argue, to debate

maintenir

to maintain

proposer

to propose, suggest

remplacer

to replace

respecter

to respect

conduire

to drive (a vehicle)

coucher

to lay, to lay down

marcher

to walk

-er · Form / spelling changes · Pronominal

se coucher

to go to bed; to lie down

récupérer

to get back, to recover, to recuperate

traiter

to treat (someone) (a particular way)

lever

to raise, lift

-er · Form / spelling changes · Pronominal

se lever

to get up (out of bed); to stand up

voter

to vote

couper

to cut, cut up; to chop, to sever

exprimer

to express

fermer

to shut

prouver

to prove

réfléchir

to reflect

retirer

to take off; to remove (e.g. clothes); to pull out

établir

to make out (a bill), to draw up (a document etc.)

former

to form (generic sense)

fournir

to supply, to provide, to furnish

imaginer

to imagine

avancer

to advance, to go forward

décider

to decide

installer

to install

réussir

to manage to do something

convaincre

to convince, to persuade

imposer

to impose

jeter

to throw

reconnaître

to recognise (something or someone that one has encountered before)

régler

to sort out, to settle (a problem, a bill)

déterminer

to determine, establish

enlever

to remove, take off, take away, clear

mener

to lead, to take

officier

to officiate

appliquer

to apply, to put something on something else

attaquer

to attack

courir

to run

déjeuner

to lunch, to eat lunch, to have lunch

étudier

to study

organiser

to organise; to plan an event

cacher

to hide

détruire

to destroy

juger

to judge, to try

poursuivre

to pursue, to chase

raconter

to recount; to tell; to narrate

accueillir

to welcome, to accommodate

conserver

to keep (in a particular place)

noter

to note

pousser

to push

échapper

to escape (from), evade

falloir

to need, have to, to be necessary (that)

résoudre

to resolve (to find a solution to)

contrôler

to check or examine

lutter

to struggle, to fight

prévenir

to warn; to prevent

remplir

to fill, to fill up (make full)

supporter

to support; to put up with

supprimer

to delete

bouger

to move (in general)

considérer

to consider; to regard

engager

to pledge, commit

voler

to fly through the air

combattre

to fight, to combat (against)

ramener

to take back, bring back, restore

manquer

to lack; to be lacking in; to be short of [with de] (something)

espérer

to hope

publier

to publish, to release, to issue

remarquer

to observe

remonter

to go back up, to come back up, to climb again, to reclimb

terminer

to end; to finish; to terminate

placer

to place (to put in a specific location)

refaire

to redo, to do over, to do again, to repeat

signer

to sign (put a signature on)

visiter

to visit (a place)

abandonner

to give up

annoncer

to announce

attirer

to attract

casser

to break

préciser

to specify

accéder

to reach (a place)

effectuer

to carry out; to perform

identifier

to identify

justifier

to justify

limiter

to mark, to limit (to show a physical limit or boundary)

pleurer

to cry, to weep; to shed tears

représenter

to represent (to be the representative of)

amener

to bring (a person), take, fetch, give a lift, give a ride

chanter

to sing

constater

to note, notice

refuser

to refuse

retenir

to retain, hold

taper

to slap, knock, beat

citer

to cite, quote

investir

to invest

modifier

to change, modify

souffrir

to suffer

transformer

to transform

inscrire

to inscribe (engrave)

intégrer

to integrate, to incorporate

intervenir

to intervene

renforcer

to reinforce, strengthen

apprécier

to appreciate

frapper

to hit, to strike, to bash

marquer

to mark, mark down (to add a mark or a spot to something)

sauter

to jump, leap

comparer

to compare

descendre

to go down

saisir

to take hold of; to grab

subir

to undergo; to suffer

tester

to test

accompagner

to accompany, to escort

adopter

to adopt

assister

to assist; to attend (with à)

baisser

to lower

dîner

to dine

diriger

to run; to direct (be the director of)

favoriser

to favour, to show a preference to something

financer

to fund

forcer

to force

observer

to observe, watch

communiquer

to communicate

consulter

to consult

définir

to define

adapter

to adapt

affronter

to confront, face

couvrir

to cover up, to cover (put a cover over)

déplacer

to move, shift (an object or material from one place to another); to relocate; to displace

déposer

to put down (set down), lay down

entraîner

to coach, to train

nourrir

to feed (provide with nourishment), nourish

relever

to raise again; to note

voyager

to travel, to voyage

avouer

to avow

bénéficier

to enjoy, to benefit from, to get, to receive

confirmer

to confirm (a fact etc.)

livrer

to deliver (a package, merchandise etc.)

dépasser

to exceed

diminuer

to diminish

exercer

to practise; to exercise

parvenir

to reach

plaindre

to pity

réagir

to react, respond

remercier

to thank (someone)

traverser

to cross, to go across

tromper

to deceive, lead astray, mislead

faciliter

to facilitate

fumer

to smoke

marier

to marry, to marry off; to perform or cause the marriage of

mentir

to lie (say something untrue)

provoquer

to provoke, bring on, bring about

signaler

to signal

exister

to exist

remporter

to take back, take away (again)

répéter

to repeat

accorder

to grant (something to someone)

admettre

to admit, to accept, to recognize

affirmer

to affirm, to claim

assumer

embrace; accept; own

crier

to cry out

danser

to dance

éliminer

to eliminate; to phase out

évoluer

to evolve; to change, to develop

joindre

to join; to connect; to attach

libérer

to liberate, to set free, to release from captivity

procéder

proceed

rêver

to dream

appuyer

to press, push

conclure

to conclude

dénoncer

to denounce

durer

to last (for)

informer

to inform; to enlighten; to impart knowledge (upon)

manager

to manage

préserver

to preserve

promouvoir

to promote (advertise a product)

calmer

to calm, pacify, soothe

fuir

to escape

interdire

to forbid, ban, prohibit

lâcher

to release; to loosen; to let go

prévoir

to anticipate, foresee, expect (reaction, event, etc.)

soigner

to treat; to nurse

concentrer

to concentrate (something)

contacter

to contact (all senses)

décrire

to describe

démontrer

to prove, to demonstrate

évaluer

to assess

mesurer

to measure

réveiller

to awaken

séparer

to separate

surveiller

to monitor, to survey, to watch

amuser

to amuse, to entertain

bloquer

to block (physically), to barricade, to obstruct

encourager

to encourage

fonctionner

to function, to work

intéresser

to interest; to make interested

survivre

to survive

acquérir

to acquire, to obtain

commander

to order (tell someone to do something)

contribuer

to contribute

garantir

to guarantee (to assure that something will get done right)

louer

to rent

prononcer

to pronounce

réparer

to repair, fix, mend

satisfaire

to satisfy

tendre

to tighten

déclarer

to declare

ignorer

to ignore

laver

to wash

rouler

to roll

afficher

to put up (a notice etc)

constituer

to constitute

désigner

to designate

négocier

to negotiate

plaire

to please, to appeal to (usually translated into English as like with exchange of subject and object)

pratiquer

to do; to practise

cesser

to cease; to stop

élever

to raise

explorer

to explore

exploser

to explode (fly apart with sudden violent force)

fixer

to fix, fasten

indiquer

to indicate; to show

résister

to resist

taire

to keep quiet about; to leave unsaid

valoir

to be worth

débarrasser

to clear (a table, a desk etc.)

emporter

to take

entretenir

to maintain, to look after

envisager

to envisage; to contemplate

opposer

to oppose

poster

to post, (put in the) mail

reposer

to put down, to place

analyser

to analyse

charger

to load (up) (vehicle, animal etc.)

compléter

to complete

critiquer

to criticise

disposer

to organize, to arrange, to distribute in a certain fashion

douter

to doubt

étendre

to stretch (the limbs)

renoncer

to resign, to quit

réunir

to gather, collect

transmettre

to transmit

aborder

to deal with; to tackle; to approach a problem, situation or topic; to broach a subject

briser

to break; snap

nettoyer

to clean

qualifier

to characterize, to consider

ranger

to order, to arrange

rechercher

to search for, seek, to look for

brûler

to burn

craindre

to fear

goûter

to taste, to try (to sample something orally)

prétendre

to claim, to allege

rapprocher

to reapproach, to approach again

rembourser

to pay back, refund, reimburse

repartir

to leave again, to go back

traduire

to translate

virer

to bear, veer (change direction slightly)

adresser

to direct

annuler

to cancel (to invalidate, to annul)

asseoir

to sit (someone) down, to seat, make sit

corriger

to correct

dégager

to free (someone or something)

embrasser

to kiss (to touch with the lips)

examiner

to examine

inviter

to invite

manifester

to manifest or demonstrate

soumettre

to submit

céder

to yield

confier

to confide

consacrer

to dedicate, to devote (time, effort)

distinguer

to distinguish

échanger

to exchange, to swap

enregistrer

to record for later replay or use, especially sound

nommer

to name; to appoint

prêter

to lend

accomplir

to accomplish

calculer

to calculate (all meanings)

effacer

to erase

enseigner

to teach, to instruct, to educate

excuser

to excuse (to forgive, to pardon)

exploiter

to exploit

fêter

to celebrate (an event)

interroger

to question, interrogate

prier

to pray

rater

to miss (an event or a thing)

révéler

to reveal, to give away

verser

to pour

confondre

to confuse, to confound

contenir

to contain

fabriquer

to make; to build; to manufacture

ressortir

to go or come back out; to go/come out again

rétablir

to restore

souligner

to underscore, to underline (draw a line under)

approcher

to approach, to come close to, to move towards

célébrer

to celebrate

couler

to sink

diffuser

to diffuse

éloigner

to remove

ressentir

to feel (an emotion, usually strongly)

concevoir

to conceive; to design

grandir

to grow, get bigger

rattraper

to get back (something which is lost)

respirer

to breathe

causer

to cause; to chat

coller

to stick (together), to glue

insulter

to insult

nier

to deny

rassurer

to reassure

recommencer

to restart, start over, start again

renvoyer

to resend, retransmit; to send again

arracher

to uproot, pull up, tear out

franchir

to clear, to cross (a line), to pass (an obstacle etc.); to get over (a fence)

inquiéter

to worry

inventer

to invent (to make something for the first time)

rassembler

to assemble

reproduire

to reproduce

télécharger

to download (to transfer data from an outside source to one's own disk or data storage)

chasser

to hunt

dépenser

to spend (money)

emprunter

to borrow (~ à (“from”))

réclamer

to protest

contenter

to content, to satisfy

introduire

to introduce

reporter

to carry something back to where it was

souhaiter

to wish; to hope

vaincre

to defeat, vanquish

commettre

to commit

consommer

to consume; to ingest

crever

to pop, burst

emmener

to take off, take away or out

épouser

to marry, to wed

glisser

to slip, to slide, to skid

obliger

to oblige, to require, to compel, to force

opérer

to operate (on)

regretter

to regret

séduire

to seduce

veiller

to stay up, sit up

attacher

to affix, bind, tie something to something else, especially with rope

boucher

to cork up

bouffer

to eat

éteindre

to turn off (a switch, device, etc.)

exposer

to expose

mentionner

to mention

posséder

to own; to possess

rapporter

to bring back (physically bring something back from where it came from)

exécuter

to execute; to carry out

habiller

to dress

procurer

to get, obtain (for someone)

progresser

to progress (to show a progression)

associer

to associate

bâtir

to build; to construct

commenter

to comment

péter

to blow off, fart

racheter

to buy back

recruter

to recruit

surprendre

to surprise

témoigner

to witness, to be a witness at or for

venger

to avenge, to take revenge (upon)

dessiner

to draw, to sketch

élire

to elect

évoquer

to evoke (to cause the manifestation of something (emotion, picture, etc.) in someone's mind or imagination)

filer

to spin (a web)

maîtriser

to master, have authority over somebody

naître

to be born

plancher

to study something thoroughly, to work hard on something, to brainstorm

rajouter

to re-add; to add again

renouveler

to renew

accroître

to increase

composer

to compose

croiser

to cross, to put in the shape of a cross

deviner

to guess; to work out, figure out

entreprendre

to undertake

nuire

to harm, to spoil

pardonner

to pardon, forgive

repousser

to push back, push out of the way

rompre

to stop, to block, to interrupt

serrer

to tighten (a screw, a knot)

attraper

to trap (to capture in a trap)

combler

to fulfil, satisfy

compenser

to compensate for, to offset

économiser

to economise (to conserve money)

estimer

to estimate, to calculate roughly

guérir

to cure, to heal

imprimer

to print, to print out

interpréter

to interpret

peindre

to paint

renverser

to turn over, turn upside down

ressembler

to resemble (to share similar qualities with)

alimenter

to feed, to give food to

autoriser

to authorise

blesser

to wound, to injure

creuser

to dig

disputer

to take part in

éclater

to burst; to break, to shatter

inspirer

to breathe in

parker

to park (a vehicle)

promener

to walk out (an animal)

renseigner

to advise; to inform

reprocher

to blame somebody for something (place blame upon)

aboutir

to lead to, to end up in, to reach

accélérer

to accelerate

circuler

to circulate

condamner

to condemn

débattre

to debate; to discuss

écraser

to squash

exiger

to demand, require

fondre

to melt, melt down, smelt

parcourir

to go through, to pass through

punir

to punish

réserver

to reserve, to make a reservation (for), to book

violer

to violate

accuser

to accuse

admirer

to admire

arranger

to arrange

attribuer

to grant, to award

cuire

to cook

démarrer

to start, to get started, to start up (especially a vehicle)

filmer

to film

fonder

to found

habiter

to live in, to occupy (to have as a home.)

pénétrer

to enter, to get in (to)

planter

to plant

prolonger

to prolong

relancer

to throw back

coûter

to cost

cuisiner

to cook (prepare food)

déménager

to move house; to move furniture

recueillir

to collect, gather

sacrifier

to sacrifice (all meanings)

vider

to empty, to empty out

accrocher

to hook, hook up (attach with a hook)

piquer

to prick; to sting

rejeter

to throw back (a fish, etc.)

risquer

to risk, to put at risk

soulever

to raise, to lift up, to pick up

varier

to vary

allumer

to light, to set alight (a candle, a fire, a cigar)

chauffer

to heat, warm, warm up

copier

to copy

distribuer

to distribute

inclure

to include

reculer

to move back, to put back

repérer

to map out, to mark, to reference

stopper

to stop, in regard to motors and machines

valider

to validate

abattre

to butcher; to slaughter for meat

détendre

to help relax, to calm

enrichir

to enrich

évacuer

to evacuate

plonger

to dive

pourvoir

to equip, provide, endow someone

supposer

to suppose, to think, to reckon, to surmise

user

to wear, wear down, wear off, wear out, grind down, run in

convertir

to convert (change one thing into another)

détecter

to detect

employer

to use (a physical thing)

étonner

to surprise

générer

to generate

hésiter

to hesitate

inciter

to urge; to impel

peser

to weigh (to have a weight of)

reconstruire

rebuild (to build again)

résumer

to summarize, to sum up

revivre

to live again; to relive

vomir

to vomit

allier

to ally

balancer

to toss, to throw away, to discard

conquérir

to conquer, to capture

détourner

to divert, to redirect

doubler

to double, duplicate

extraire

extract (to draw out)

manipuler

to manipulate

saluer

to greet

surmonter

to overcome, to surmount, to get over

transférer

to transfer, remove

viser

to aim, to target

achever

to finish, to complete

contrer

to block, to counter, to counteract

déclencher

to trigger, to spark, to set off

diviser

to divide

écarter

to separate, move apart

exclure

to exclude

percer

to pierce

priver

to deprive

ramasser

to pick up; to collect, gather

redonner

to give again

tarder

to tarry

traîner

to pull, drag

craquer

to split, to break

démissionner

to resign

dévoiler

to unveil (remove a veil from)

émettre

to emit

honorer

to honor, to honour

loger

to lodge, to stay, to be lodging (to temporarily inhabit)

mélanger

to mix, to mix up

mêler

to mix

noyer

to drown

plier

to fold (bend (something) over; arrange by folding)

ralentir

to slow down

avaler

to swallow

comporter

to include

connecter

to connect

éclairer

to light up; to brighten

endormir

to put to sleep

gouverner

to govern

guider

to guide

illustrer

to illustrate

multiplier

to multiply

élargir

to enlarge, to make larger

orienter

to orientate

préférer

to prefer

recourir

to run again, to race again

restaurer

to restore

débuter

to start

décrocher

to unhook, remove from a hook

déranger

to bother; to disrupt

enfermer

to lock up, lock in, lock away

oser

to dare

relire

to reread, to read again

contester

to contest; to challenge; to dispute

embarquer

to board (a vehicle)

féliciter

to congratulate

impliquer

to implicate, to accuse

isoler

to isolate

jouir

to enjoy (with de)

rédiger

to write; to draft

apercevoir

to see, to glimpse, to catch sight of

enquêter

to investigate

grimper

(climbing) to climb, climb up

hurler

to shout, to yell

influencer

influence (to exert an influence upon)

réformer

to reform (put into a new form)

repasser

to pass by again (intransitive)

sonner

to sound

affecter

to feign, affect (an emotion, etc.)

délivrer

to set free

dresser

to raise, to erect, to build

figurer

to appear (in a list, etc.), to be included; to represent

mobiliser

to mobilize

relier

to connect, link, join, relate to

rigoler

to laugh, especially laugh out loud

débarquer

to unload (merchandise), land (troops, passengers)

élaborer

to draw up, write up, make up, whip up, put together

menacer

to threaten

obéir

to obey (+ à a person)

parier

to bet (make a guess about the outcome of an event)

pencher

to tilt, tip up

récolter

to harvest (to reap)

signifier

to signify, mean

abuser

to mislead

classer

to classify

cliquer

to click

cracher

to spit

demeurer

to live, stay

énerver

to vex, to get on one's nerves

enfoncer

to push in, to press in, to drive in

épargner

to save (time, money etc.)

lier

to link

nager

to swim

privilégier

to privilege, to favour

sécher

to dry

sembler

to seem, to resemble, to look like

simplifier

to simplify

soulager

to relieve, soothe

sucer

to suck

avertir

to warn

balader

to take for a walk; to lead around

briller

to shine, to sparkle

contourner

to circumvent, to bypass, to skirt around

défaire

to take down, take apart, dismantle, unpack (luggage)

gâcher

to ruin, spoil, mar, wreck, waste

insister

to insist, emphasize

mater

to checkmate

motiver

to motivate

percevoir

to perceive, to make out

remédier

to remedy, to cure; to fix

river

to drive/set a rivet

suspendre

to suspend (hang freely)

unir

to unite, join

approfondir

to deepen

capturer

to capture (catch, seize e.g. an enemy)

cultiver

to cultivate

détester

to hate, to detest (to thoroughly dislike)

interrompre

to interrupt

ruiner

to ruin

capter

to capture, to catch, to pick up

correspondre

to correspond

pointer

to point to/at

protester

to protest; to object

souper

to dine

susciter

to stir up, fuel, evoke, suscitate

trancher

to slice, cut into slices

apaiser

to mollify; to appease, pacify, calm

entamer

to cut into (something)

étouffer

to stop, to inhibit, to prevent

habituer

to get someone in the habit (of)

instaurer

to set up; to establish

mériter

to deserve, merit

recommander

to recommend, to endorse

réviser

to revise, review

stocker

to store (keep (something) while not in use)

déduire

to deduce; to work out

déployer

to spread out, to unfold

embaucher

to hire, to employ

insérer

to insert

déconner

to talk rubbish, talk bollocks, kid, joke

dominer

to dominate (govern, rule, or control by superior authority or power)

flipper

to freak out

fouiller

to search (place, thing)

localiser

to locate; to run to ground, to run to earth

rallier

to rally (group or bring together)

sensibiliser

to make sensitive

souffler

to blow

succéder

to succeed (to follow in order)

absorber

to absorb

activer

to activate (to encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate)

adorer

to love; to adore

envahir

to invade

imiter

to imitate

sécuriser

to secure (to move from a feeling of anxiety to a feeling of security, to an impression of confidence)

tracer

to draw or plot (a diagram), to trace out

adhérer

to adhere; to stick to (rules, regulations)

dépendre

to depend (to be uncertain or contingent)

dérouler

to unroll

enterrer

to bury (put underground); to inter

réjouir

to please; to delight

situer

to locate (to find the location of something)

stimuler

to stimulate

valoriser

to valorize, to add value

anticiper

to anticipate

basculer

to topple, to tip over

croître

to grow

défoncer

to deep-plough

différencier

to differentiate (all senses), distinguish

optimiser

to optimize

promettre

to promise

raser

to shave

scanner

to scan (to create a digital copy of an image using a scanner)

suggérer

to suggest, propose

vanter

to praise, to vaunt

appartenir

to belong

baigner

to bathe

défiler

to parade or march

draguer

to dredge (to make a channel wider or deeper)

fréquenter

to frequent, to go to (a place)

regrouper

to regroup

répandre

to spill, scatter

retarder

to retard, slow down

agrandir

to enlarge, make bigger

allonger

to lay down

barrer

to bar, bar up (to lock or bolt with a bar)

conformer

to conform; comply

défier

to defy, challenge

échouer

to fail, fall through, miscarry

gratter

to scrub

redire

resay, say again

revendre

resell, sell again

suffire

to be enough, to suffice

animer

to animate (give something life)

blâmer

criticize, pass censure on

collaborer

to collaborate

débloquer

to unblock

décoller

to take off (i.e. a plane)

encaisser

to collect, to cash

formuler

to formulate

grossir

to increase, to make larger

minimiser

To lessen the importance of in the mind of people; to belittle, downplay, understate.

retomber

to refall, to fall again, to fall back down

sélectionner

to select, to pick (to choose one or more elements from a set)

semer

to sow (scatter seed, etc.)

tailler

to cut

trahir

to betray

trembler

to tremble, shake

consoler

to comfort, console

patienter

to be patient

presser

to urge

repenser

to rethink, to reconsider

choper

to steal, nick, pinch

masquer

to mask; to hide

négliger

to neglect

régner

to reign (of a monarch)

ajuster

to adjust; tweak

aligner

to align

approprier

to adapt (something) to a situation

approuver

to approve of

assassiner

to assassinate

démonter

to dismantle, to take down

détacher

to detach; to remove

encadrer

to frame

ennuyer

to afflict with boredom; to bore

mordre

to bite

pallier

to alleviate; to compensate for

prédire

to predict, foretell

regagner

to regain, to recover (something lost)

solliciter

to solicit

spoiler

to spoil (a story, ending, etc.)

agresser

to assault; to attack

consolider

to consolidate (make more solid)

corner

to fold a corner of a page

décevoir

to disappoint

désirer

to desire, want

frotter

to rub, chafe

gêner

to hinder, hamper, bother

griller

to toast (cook with a toaster)

récompenser

to award

revendiquer

to demand

sauvegarder

to safeguard; to protect

appréhender

to dread, apprehend

compliquer

to complicate

confronter

to confront

contredire

to contradict

dealer

to deal (drugs)

embêter

to bug, bother, annoy

gonfler

to inflate, to blow up

harceler

to hassle; to bother; to disrupt; to harass

perturber

to disrupt, to disturb

piloter

to pilot (control an aircraft)

pourrir

to rot, decompose, putrefy, crumble

projeter

throw, hurl

redevenir

to become again

surfer

to surf (on a wave)

chialer

to complain

collecter

to collect, to gather

débrouiller

to disentangle (threads)

dissimuler

to hide, to conceal

expulser

to expel

incarner

to incarnate

naviguer

to navigate

pendre

to hang

plaider

to plead

réchauffer

to reheat

reconstituer

to re-form (a group, association)

référer

to refer (someone)

boucler

to buckle (to fasten)

cerner

to surround

choquer

to hit, to collide

clocher

to be wrong; to be amiss

concilier

to reconcile

désactiver

to disable, to turn off (to deactivate a function of an electronic or mechanical device)

éduquer

to educate

émerger

to arrive at the top; to move upwards

enchaîner

to chain, to shackle

équiper

to supply

garer

to park (a vehicle)

humilier

to humiliate

propager

to propagate, spread

redresser

to straighten (up)

restreindre

to restrict, to limit

secouer

to shake

tolérer

to tolerate

atténuer

to attenuate; to mitigate

clarifier

to clarify

convenir

to suit; to agree

doter

to endow, donate

étaler

to spread, spread out (papers, objects, etc.; sur on or over)

exporter

to export

ménager

to husband, to conserve

abaisser

to lower; to reduce; to bring down

affaiblir

to weaken, to flag, to make weaker, to enfeeble, enervate, attenuate

atterrir

to land (a plane, helicopter etc.)

compromettre

to compromise, jeopardise

coordonner

to coordinate, to organise thoroughly

déchirer

to tear; to rip up

freiner

to brake

inverser

to invert

planifier

to plan ahead, to prepare oneself

postuler

to apply for a position; to postulate

raisonner

to reason

vieillir

to grow old, to age

applaudir

to applaud (express approval by clapping)

claquer

to clack (make a sharp sound)

combiner

to combine (bring (two or more things or activities) together)

décourager

to discourage

préoccuper

to concern, preoccupy

sanctionner

to sanction, to recognize, to ratify, to make valid

abolir

to abolish

acquitter

to pay

avérer

to uncover, to reveal

dissoudre

to dissolve, separate, disintegrate, disperse

implanter

to build (an installation); to install (machinery); to open (a business)

lécher

to lick

réconcilier

to reconcile

rivaliser

to compete

vibrer

to vibrate

accumuler

to accumulate

aggraver

to worsen (to make worse)

armer

to arm (equip with weapons)

découper

to cut up, to chop up

engendrer

to generate, spawn, beget

hacker

to hack

importer

to import

méditer

to think over, ponder, reflect on

prescrire

to prescribe (a medication)

recharger

to recharge (add more electricity to)

stabiliser

to stabilise

trier

to sort, to sort out

aménager

to lay out, fit out

assimiler

to assimilate (all meanings), to absorb

brancher

to connect, plug in (appliance)

buter

to stop dead

caresser

to stroke; to caress (to move the hand over the surface of)

contraindre

to constrain

coopérer

to cooperate

écouler

to sell off, to shift

éradiquer

to eradicate

invoquer

to invoke

jurer

to swear (to promise by oath)

maigrir

to slim, to get slim, to lose weight

neutraliser

to neutralise

ordonner

to order; to arrange

persuader

to persuade

questionner

to question, interrogate

recréer

to recreate

refroidir

to lower the temperature of; to cool

savourer

to savour, to savor

souscrire

to subscribe (all meanings)

abonner

to subscribe somebody to a service; to take a subscription for

booster

to boost

démolir

to demolish

détenir

to detain

dissuader

to dissuade; to put off

distraire

to distract

éprouver

to put to the test, test, try

impressionner

to impress, to wow, to awe

infliger

to inflict, to impose

massacrer

to massacre (to kill)

miser

to bet (place a bet)

opter

to opt

pêcher

to fish

précipiter

to throw down; to hasten

renier

to renounce

salir

to dirty, make dirty

accoucher

to give birth

chuter

to fall, to drop

déguster

to try, to taste (food or drink)

éclaircir

to brighten (up)

entrevoir

to make out, see vaguely; to glimpse

mouiller

to make wet, get wet, dampen, moisten

abriter

to shelter, to harbour

balayer

to sweep

cibler

to target

entourer

to surround

photographier

to photograph

rénover

to renew, to renovate, to revitalize

administrer

to administer

bouillir

to boil (becoming boiling; reach boiling point)

enfiler

to thread (a needle)

héberger

to house, accommodate

initier

to initiate (to introduce into a religion, sect, art, etc.)

innover

to innovate

programmer

to program

redescendre

to come back down, to go back down (to descend shortly after having gone up)

songer

to think about; to dream

substituer

to substitute

cocher

to tick; to tick off/check off (to place a tick symbol on, e.g. a form)

contempler

to contemplate

cramer

to burn

digérer

to digest

fusionner

to fuse, to meld

généraliser

to generalise (all senses)

rebondir

to bounce, rebound

siéger

to sit (hold a seat)

sombrer

to whittle away (disappear)

téléphoner

to call, to ring, to telephone

engueuler

to give (someone) a roasting, to tell someone off, to chew out, to give shit

équilibrer

to balance, make balanced, to equilibrize

pleuvoir

to rain