Humanities Languages Audio Dictionary of French Words Starting With D, E and F Share Flipboard Email Print Getty Images Languages French Vocabulary Basics Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources for Teachers English as a Second Language Spanish German Italian Japanese Mandarin Russian English Grammar View More by ThoughtCo Updated February 02, 2019 Give your French vocabulary a boost by reviewing words starting with letters D, E and F. Hear the pronunciation of these words and try using them in context.Words Starting With DWordDefinitionCategoryDthe letter DFrench alphabetd'abord(adv) - first, in the first place d'accordOKBasic vocabularydada(figurative) hobby-horse d'ailleurs(adv) - besides, moreover, for that matter une dallepaving stone, slab DanielDanielFrench namesla dansedancingHobbiesla datedateDatesDavidDavidFrench namesdéballerto unpack, display, let out débarrasserto clear, to rid (someone) of débile(adj) - weak, frail, sickly, poor; (inf) - stupid débiterto produce, to sell déblayerto clear away, remove, tidy up; to prepare (ground) déboîterto disconnect, dislodge, dislocate; (driving) to pull out débordementoverflow(ing), boiling over, (out)burst déborderto overflow, to stick out; (fig) - to be bursting with un débouchéopening, outlet, prospect debout(adj, adv) - standing, upright débrouillerto untangle, sort out, teach someone the basics débutant(adj) - beginning, novice décadecaf (informal) le décalage horairetime difference, jet lag décembreDecemberCalendardéclencherto release, set off, trigger, launch, work décoifferto muss (one's hair), to take one's hat off décontracté(adj) relaxed, laid back, casual en découdreto fight, do battle décréterto order, declare, decree, ordain, decide décrocherto pick up (the phone)On the phonedédaignerto despise, look down on, scorn, disdain, spurn le dédommagementcompensation, something to make up for a problem défense d'entrerdo not enterTraveldéfense de fumerno smokingRestaurantun défichallenge, defiance un dégât(often plural) - damage déglinguer(inf) - to bust, break dégoiser (inf) - to spout, rattle on dégommer(fam) - to demote, ire; to lay into, get told off dégoter(inf) - to dig up, find dégringolerto collapse, fall; to rush/fall down déguerpir(inf) - to clear off/out, scarper dégueulasse(fam adj) - lousy, rotten, filthy, disgusting dégusterto taste, sample, savor; (inf) - to suffer, have a rough time le déjeunerlunchFooddélaisserto abandon, quit, give up, neglect de l'après-midiin the afternoonTelling timese délecterto (take) delight in, to revel in délester(technical) to cut off power, relieve congestion / a burden; (transportation) to remove ballast se demanderto wonder, to ask oneself démangerto itch (literally and fig) le démaquillantmake-up removerToiletriesdémarrerto start up, to move off, to get moving un démêlédispute, quarrel se démenerto thrash about, struggle, exert oneself démettreto dislocate, dismiss la demeureresidence, home (old-fashioned, literary) demeurerto stay/live somewhere, to remain la démissionresignation, abdication démodé(adj) - old-fashioned, out-of-date le dénidenial (law and psychology) DenisDennisFrench namesDeniseDeniseFrench namesla denttoothBodyle dentifricetoothpasteToiletriesle déodorantdeodorantToiletriesdéposerto lay/put/set down, dump, leave; to deposit; to file, register; to testify dépoussiérerto remove dust from (literally and fig) depuis un anfor a yearOptional liaisonsdérangerto disturb, bother, trouble; to mix/mess up déraperto skid, slip, soar derechef(literary, archaic adv, used in jest) - once again, once more de rienyou're welcomePolitenessdériverto divert, derive, stem from dessaisir(legal) - to remove le dessertdessertDessertdesservirto clear (away), to do a disservice to, to harm; (transportation) - to serve désuet(adj) - outdated, old-fashioned, quaint détaler(inf) - to bolt, take off, clear out, skedaddle détournerto divert, hijack; turn away, avert; embezzle se détraquerto break down, to be upset deux2Numbersdeux cent un201Numbersdeux cents200Numbersdeux enfantstwo childrenLiaisonsdeux mille2,000Numbersdeux millions2,000,000 Numbersdevancerto get/be/arrive/do ahead of devantin front of la déveine(informal) rotten luck devinerto guess, solve, foresee; to make out dévoilerto unveil, disclose, reveal des devoirs (m)homeworkSchoolDianeDianeFrench namesun diapason(music) range, tuning fork, pitch pipe un dico(inf) - dictionary (short for dictionnaire) un dictionnairedictionarySchoolun dictonsaying, dicton, expression Didier French namesla différencedifference, identity, dissent différerto differ, be different; to postpone le digestifafter-dinner drinkDrinksdimancheSundayCalendarla dindeturkeyMeatle dînerdinnerFooddingue(inf adj) - crazy, nuts, barmy direct(adj) - direct, straight les directions (f)directionsDirectionsdirigeant(adj) - ruling, senior un dispositifdevice, mechanism; plan (of action, attack...) le dissolvantnail polish removerToiletriesdix10Numbersdix-huit18Numbersdix-neuf19Numbersdix-sept17Numbersune dizaineabout ten le dodobeddy-bye, sleepy-timeBaby talkle doigtfingerBodyDominiqueDominic, DominicaFrench namesdompterto tame, subdue, master, overcome les DOM-TOM(acronym) - Départements d'outre-mer, Territoires d'outre-merAcronymsdonc(conjunction) so, therefore dorénavant(adv) - from now on, henceforth DorothéeDorothyFrench namesle dosbackBodydoté(adj) - equipped/endowed with la douanecustomsTraveldoublé(adj) - lined, dubbed le doudoublankie, blanketBaby talkdoué(adj) - talented, gifted, endowed with douillet(adj) soft, cozy, snug doux(adj) - sweet, soft, gentle, mild douze12Numbersun drapsheet, large towel dresserto stand up, raise, erect; to draw or write up la drogueriedrugstoreShoppingdrôle(adj) funny, peculiar drôlement(inf) awfully, terribly, veryTrèssynonymsdu brouillardfoggyWeatherdu matinin the morningTelling timedu soirin the evening/at nightTelling timedu soleilsunnyWeatherdu ventwindyWeather Words Starting With EWordDefinitionCategoryEthe letter EFrench alphabetl'eau (f)waterDrinksl'eau dentifricemouthwashToiletriesébranlerto shake, weaken, compromise écarterto move apart, to spread (open), to dismiss une échéanceexpiration/maturity/redemption/payment/due date; term un échecfailure, defeat, setback, breakdown échouerto fail; to end up un éclairlightning, flash, (fig) - spark éclaterto burst, blow up, explode; to break out; to make noise; to shine éclipserto eclipse, overshadow une écoleschoolSchooléconomies(f plural) savings, conservation écorce(fem noun) - bark, peel, skin écoulerto sell écourterto shorten, cut short, curtail un écranscreen écraserto crush, grind, squeeze; run over un écrivainwriterProfessionss'écroulerto fall down, collapse, crumble éculé(adj) - worn down, worn out écume(fem) foam, froth, scum, lather ÉdithEdithFrench namesÉdouardEdwardFrench namesédulcorerto water/tone down; to sweeten effacerto erase effectuerto carry out, to make (happen), to accomplish effondré(adj) - shattered, crushed, collapsed s'efforcerto try hard, endeavor, do one's best to effrayé(adj) - scaredMoodeffroyableappalling, horrifying égal(adj) equal, even, unchanging à l'égard detoward, concerning égards (m)consideration égaré(adj) - lost, stray, distraught une églisechurchDirectionsÉgyptien(ne)EgyptianLang + Natéhonté(adj) shameless, brazen un électricienelectricianProfessionsÉléonoreEleanorFrench namesÉlisabethElizabethFrench namesÉliseElisaFrench nameselleshe, itSubject pronounselle estshe isEnchaînementElle prend un livreShe is taking a bookOptional liaisonsellestheySubject pronounsElle s'appelle ....Her name is...IntroductionsÉlodie French nameséloignerto move away (transitive), remove, estrange, banish, dismiss élucubrations (f)wild imaginings emballerto pack; (inf) - to thrill; (fam) - to arrest; to seduce un embouteillagetraffic jam, holdup, (fig) bottleneck embrouillé(adj) - confused, mixed-up ÉmileEmileFrench namesÉmilieEmilyFrench namesEmmanuelEmmanuelFrench namess'emparerto seize, snatch, grab, take over empilerto pile, stack up; (fam) - to have, swindle un(e) employé(e)employeeProfessionsemprunterto borrow en arrière dein back ofDirectionsen avant dein front ofDirectionsen basdownDirectionsencastrerto embed, fit encenserto burn incense; to flatter, praise excessively enciente(adj) - pregnant encenserto flatter, praise excessively enchanté(e)(adj) - delighted (to meet you)Introductionsune enchèrebid encore une foisone more timeBasic vocabun(e) énergumènefirebrand en faitin fact, as a matter of fact enfin(adv) - at last, finally; (interj) - well, in a word engeluresfrostbite engourdirto make numb en hautupDirectionsennuyé(adj) - bored, annoyedMoodennuyeux(adj) - boringPersonalityen panneout of order, broken downTravelune enquêteinquiry, investigation, survey enrayerto (keep in) check, curb, jam enrhume(adj) - having a cold en routeon the wayDrivingen souffrancepending, awaiting delivery entacherto soil, taint, tarnish (fig); riddled, marred (with errors) entourerto surround, rally around un entracte(theater, cinéma) interval, intermission; (figurative) interruption, interlude, break entraînerto take, drag (a person), to lead, influence; to bring about, lead to; to entail, mean entre euxbetween themEnchaînemententretenirto maintain, keep, look after, support; (formal) to talk, converse entrouvrirto half-open éolien(adj) related to wind épais(adj) thick; (derog) dense, dull, thick éparpillerto scatter, disperse épaterto amaze, impress une épauleshoulderBodyépispike, tuft une épiceriegrocery storeShoppingles épinards (m)spinachVegetablesune épinglepinJewelryune épousewifeLove languageun épouxhusbandLove languageune épreuvetest, ordeal, hardship éprouverto feel, experience, suffer, sustain, test épuisé(adj) - worn-out, exhausted ÉricEricFrench namesèsContraction of en + les, used for university degrees. une escalestopover, port of call un escalierstairwayHomeescamoterevade, get around; to conjure away; (inf) - to steal les escargots (m)snailsMeatescrime (f)fencing une esgourdearchaic and slang for ear (used in jest) Espagnol(e), l'espagnolSpanishLang + Natune espècespecies, kind, type; (inf pej) - some, stupid espiègle (adj) - mischievous, impish un espionspy une esquissesketch, outline; beginnings, hint un essaimswarm (literally and figuratively) une essencepetrol/gas, spirit, essence, gist, species of a tree essence ordinaireregular gasDrivingl'essentielthe basicsBasic vocabun essorrapid growth, development, boom; (formal/elegant) flight les essuie-glaceswindshield wipersDrivingesteastDirectionsestimerto appraise, value, estimate; to (hold in) esteem; to consider, judge estival(adj) summer(y) un estomacstomachBodyestomaquer(informal) to stun, stagger, flabbergast, gobsmack estomperto blur, dim, soften, become indistinct etandBasic vocabune étagère(book)shelfFurnitureétalerto spread, strew et demieand a halfTelling timeétésummerCalendaréternuerto sneeze ÉtienneStevenFrench namesétirerto stretch étofferto enrich, fill in, flesh out, extend, beef up, strengthen une étourderieabsent-mindedness; (fam) - careless mistake et quartquarter afterTelling timeêtre coupéto be cut offOn the phoneun étudiant, une étudiantestudentProfessionsEugèneEugeneFrench namesEuropéen(ne)EuropeanLang + Natévanouirto faint, pass out; to disappear éveillé(adj) - alert, bright, awake éventuellement(adv) - possibly, if need be un éviersinkFurnitureexact(adj) exact, right, accurate, correct; on time exagérerto exaggerate, overdo un examentestSchoolexaucerto fulfill, grant, answer excellentexcellentBonsynonymsexceptionnelexceptionalBonsynonymsexceptionnellementexceptionallyTrès synonymsexcité(adj) - hyper(active)Moodune excursiontripDrivingexcursionnerto go on trips, walks excusez-moiexcuse mePolitenessExcusez-moi de vous dérangerI'm sorry to disturb youPolitenessexemplaire(adj) - model, exemplary; un exemplaire - copy exigeant(adj) demanding, exacting une expérienceexperience, experiment exprès(adv) - on purpose, deliberately un expressespressoDrinksexprimerto express extraordinaireextraordinaryBonsynonymsextraordinairementextraordinarilyTrèssynonymsextrêmementextremelyTrèssynonyms Words Starting With FWordDefinitionCategoryFthe letter FFrench alphabetfabriquerto make, produce; fabricate, make up; (inf) to do, to be up to fabulerto fantasize la fac(inf, short for faculté) - university fâché(adj) - angryMoodfaible(adj) - weakPersonalityla faimhungerFoodfainéant(adj) lazy, idle faire le pleinto fill it upDrivingfaire sisiteto sitBaby talkse faire les onglesto do one's nailsToiletriesau faitby the way en faitin fact, as a matter of fact un faixburden une falaisecliff falot(adj) - colorless, wan, pale un falotlantern fameuxadj before noun) - first-rate; real; famous, much talked-about une famillefamilyFamilyfané(adj) - faded, wilted le fardmake-up, greasepaint le fard à jouesblusherToiletriesle fard à paupièreseyeshadowToiletriesfarfelu(inf adj) - cranky, scatty, hare-brained, eccentric fastueuxluxurious, sumptuous fatigué(adj) - tiredMoodfaufilerto baste, tack fauteurone who does something (usually bad) fêlé(adj) cracked, (informal) crazy une femmewife, womanFamilyune femme de chambremaidProfessionsune fenêtrewindowFurniturefermé(adj) - closedTravella fermetéfirmness, solidness, confidence féru(adj) - interested in / keen on la fessebuttock le feufire, stoplight, stove burner une feuille de papierpiece of paperOfficefeuilleterto leaf through, skim; to roll out (pastry, dough) le feu rougestop lightDrivingles feux de routehigh beamsDrivingle feux de stopbrake lightsDrivingfévrierFebruaryCalendarfiable(adj) accurate, reliable, dependable fiançailles (f)engagement un(e) fiancé(e)fianceLove languageune ficellestring, type of bread ficher(slang) - to do, give, put, leave fichu(informal adj) - lousy, rotten, foul; done for, bust; put together, dressed; damned figurerto represent, to appear le fil dentairedental flossToiletriesune filledaughter, girlFamilyun filma movieHobbiesun filssonFamilyun fixe-cravatetie-clipJewelryflairerto smell, sense le flamandFlemishLang + Natun fléaucurse, plague, bane; flail la flemme(inf) - laziness une fleurflowerLove languageun flic(inf) - cop, copper, bobby un flinguegun, rifle un floconflake, fleck flopée(informal) - a bunch, tons, loads, masses FlorenceFlorenceFrench namesflotterto float, drift, hang (in the air), flutter, hover fofolle(inf adj) - scatty, crazy le foinhay follement(inf) incrediblyTrès synonymsfoncé(invariable adj) - dark (color) foncerto charge at or into; to make darker; (inf) - to rush, tear, charge along foncièrement(adv) - fundamentally, basically un(e) fonctionnairecivil servantProfessionsle foot, footballsoccerHobbiesle footballaméricainfootballHobbiesun forainfairground entertainer, carnie forcément(adv) - necessarily, inevitably une formeform, shape Formidable!Great!Accent affectiffort(adj) - strongPersonalityun fossé(lit, fig) - ditch, gulf, gap des fossettesdimplesDescriptionsla foudrelightning un fouetwhip, whisk la fougueardor, spirit la fouillesearch, excavation, dig un fouillisjumble, muddle un foulardscarfAccessoriesun fourovenFurnitureun four à micro-ondesmicrowave oven une fourchette forkDishesfourrerto stuff, fill; (info) - to put, stick, shove la fourrièredog pound, impound yard fourvoyerto mislead, get someone lost, lead astray frais(adj) - cool, crisp, fresh une fraisestrawberryFruitune framboiseraspberryFruitFrançais(e), le françaisFrenchLang + Natfranchirto cross, get over, overcome FrancisFrancisFrench namesFranckFrankFrench namesFrançoisFrancisFrench namesFrançoiseFrancesFrench namesfrancophone(adj) - French-speaking un/e Francophone(proper noun) - French speaker à la bonne franquettesimple, without any fuss frapperto hit, stab, strike, knock frasques (f)escapades FrédéricFrederickFrench namesfredonnerto hum les freinsbrakesDrivingfrêle(adj) - flimsy, fragile, frail frémirto quake, tremble, shudder, shiver un frèrebrotherFamilyfriand de(adj) - partial to, fond of le fric(fam) - cash, bread, lolly le frigo(inf) - fridge (short for réfrigérateur)Apocopesfrileux(adj) - sensitive to cold; (econ) - overcautious, nervous une friperieused/second-hand clothing store un frissonshiver, shudder, thrill les frites (f)friesFoodfroid(adj) - cold, unfriendlyWeather,Personalityfroisserto crumple, offend frôlerto brush against, skim, verge on le fromagecheeseDairyle fromage blanccream cheeseDairyse frotterto rub (one another), to fight; (slang) - to have sex le fruitfruitFruitfugace(adj) - fleeting, transient fuguer(inf) - to run away, run off fuirto flee, avoid, fly off, shun, shirk fulgurant(figurative adj) lightning, dazzling, blinding, searing futé(adj) - wily, crafty, cunning, sly Continue Reading