être

Definitions of être
  1. noun
    a human being
    synonyms: homme, individu, mortel
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    type of:
    forme de vie, organisme, vie
    a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
    cause
    any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
  2. noun
    a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
    synonyms: forme de vie, organisme, vie
    see moresee less
    examples:
    viere Marie
    the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
    bacon
    English statesman and philosopher; precursor of British empiricism; advocated inductive reasoning (1561-1626)
    types:
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    homme, individu, mortel
    a human being
    animal, créature
    a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
    flore, plante
    (botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion
    micro-organisme
    any organism of microscopic size
    race croisée
    (genetics) an organism that is the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock; especially offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties or breeds or species
    parasite
    an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
    hôte
    an animal or plant that nourishes and supports a parasite; it does not benefit and is often harmed by the association
    particulier
    a single organism
    mutant
    (biology) an organism that has characteristics resulting from chromosomal alteration
    champignon
    an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia
    animal domestique
    an animal trained for and used for heavy labor
    animal domestique
    any of various animals that have been tamed and made fit for a human environment
    animal de compagnie, animal familier
    a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
    femelle
    an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes (spermatozoa)
    mâle
    an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes (ova)
    adulte
    any mature animal
    petit
    any immature animal
    pur-sang
    a pedigreed animal of unmixed lineage; used especially of horses
    survivant
    an animal that survives in spite of adversity
    mutant
    an animal that has undergone mutation
    herbivore
    any animal that feeds chiefly on grass and other plants
    virus
    (virology) ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts; many are pathogenic; a piece of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a thin coat of protein
    bactérie
    (microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants
    germe, microbe
    a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use
    agent pathogène
    any disease-producing agent (especially a virus or bacterium or other microorganism)
    unicellulaire
    any of the unicellular protists
    cordé
    any animal of the phylum Chordata having a notochord or spinal column
    invertébré
    any animal lacking a backbone or notochord; the term is not used as a scientific classification
    prédateur
    any animal that lives by preying on other animals
    proie
    animal hunted or caught for food
    gibier
    animal hunted for food or sport
    larve
    the immature free-living form of most invertebrates and amphibians and fish which at hatching from the egg is fundamentally unlike its parent and must metamorphose
    animal fictif
    animals that exist only in fiction (usually in children's stories)
    adulte, majeur
    a fully developed person from maturity onward
    aventurier
    a person who enjoys taking risks
    personne inhabituelle, personne insolite
    a person who is unusual
    postulant
    a person who requests or seeks something such as assistance or employment or admission
    employée
    a person who is appointed to a job or position
    capitaliste
    a person who invests capital in a business (especially a large business)
    ravisseur
    a person who captures and holds people or animals
    roturier(e)
    a person who holds no title
    communicateur
    a person who communicates with others
    combattant, concurrent, rival
    a person who participates in competitions
    froussard, lâche
    a person who shows fear or timidity
    créateur
    a person who grows or makes or invents things
    controversiste
    a person who disputes; who is good at or enjoys controversy
    ingénieur, technicien, technologiste
    a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
    amuseur, comique, fantaisiste
    a person who tries to please or amuse
    connaisseur, expert
    a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully
    femelle, femme
    a person who belongs to the sex that can have babies
    individualiste
    a person who pursues independent thought or action
    habitant, résidant
    a person who inhabits a particular place
    indigène, natif
    an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
    intellectuel
    a person who uses the mind creatively
    jeune
    a young person, not fully developed
    amant, amoureux, prétendant
    a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
    chef, guide, leader
    a person who rules or guides or inspires others
    homme, mâle
    a person who belongs to the sex that cannot have babies
    négociant
    a person who receives or invests or pays out money
    ressortissant
    a person who owes allegiance to that nation
    athée
    a person who does not manifest devotion to a deity
    chômeur
    a person who does nothing
    pareil, égal
    a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
    observateur
    a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
    précurseur
    a person who goes before or announces the coming of another
    personne primitive, primitif
    a person who belongs to an early stage of civilization
    religieux
    a person who manifests devotion to a deity
    sensualiste
    a person who enjoys sensuality
    voyageur
    a person who changes location
    infortuné, malheureux
    a person who suffers misfortune
    indésirable, persona non grata, personne indésirable
    a person who for some reason is not wanted or welcome
    personne inexpérimentée
    a person who lacks technical training
    employé, salarié, travailleur
    a person who works at a specific occupation
    Africain
    a native or inhabitant of Africa
    noir
    a person with dark skin who comes from Africa (or whose ancestors came from Africa)
    blanc, blanche
    a member of the Caucasoid race
    Hébreu, Juif
    a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties
    gagnant
    a person with a record of successes
    amie, connaissance
    a person with whom you are acquainted
    auteur
    a person who acts and gets things done
    arbitre, membre d'un jury
    a person who studies and settles conflicts and disputes
    adversaire, antagoniste, opposant
    someone who offers opposition
    avocat
    a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
    agnostique, sceptique
    someone who is doubtful or noncommittal about something
    amateur
    someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime
    autorité
    (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
    personne mauvaise
    a person who does harm to others
    torero, toréador
    someone who fights bulls
    culturiste
    someone who does special exercises to develop a brawny musculature
    candidat
    someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.)
    malade
    a person requiring professional services
    charmeur
    a person who charms others (usually by personal attractiveness)
    bébé, nourrisson
    an immature childish person
    personne maladroite
    a person with poor motor coordination
    collectionneur
    a person who collects things
    belligérant, combattant
    someone who fights (or is fighting)
    converti
    a person who has been converted to another religious or political belief
    imitateur, singe
    someone who copies the words or behavior of another
    créancier
    a person to whom money is owed by a debtor; someone to whom an obligation exists
    estropié(e), infirme, invalide
    someone who is unable to walk normally because of an injury or disability to the legs or back
    défunt, mort
    someone who is no longer alive
    sourd
    a person with a severe auditory impairment
    débiteur
    a person who owes a creditor; someone who has the obligation of paying a debt
    Jésus, libérateur, sauveur
    a person who gives up or transfers money or goods
    dissident
    a person who dissents from some established policy
    sosie
    someone who closely resembles a famous person (especially an actor)
    toxicomane
    a person who takes drugs
    sentimental, émotif, émotive
    a person subject to strong states of emotion
    étudiant
    a person who enrolls in (or is enrolled in) a class or course of study
    explorateur
    someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
    extraverti, extroverti
    (psychology) a person concerned more with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings
    adepte, successeur, épigone
    a person who accepts the leadership of another
    monstre, personne difforme
    a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
    ami
    a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
    joueur, parieur
    a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events
    personne bonne
    a person who is good to other people
    handicapé, handicapée
    a person who has some condition that markedly restricts their ability to function physically or mentally or socially
    ennemi
    a person who hates
    hétéro, hétérosexuel
    a heterosexual person; someone having a sexual orientation to persons of the opposite sex
    homo, homosexuel, transsexuel
    someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex
    introverti
    (psychology) a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts
    assassin, tueur
    someone who causes the death of a person or animal
    famille, parent
    a person related by blood or marriage
    gros
    a person of greater than average size
    élève
    someone (especially a child) who learns (as from a teacher) or takes up knowledge or beliefs
    vie
    a living person
    lettré
    a person who can read and write
    machine
    an efficient person
    homme, être humain
    the generic use of the word to refer to any human being
    métisse
    a person whose ancestors belonged to two or more races
    voisin, voisine
    a person who lives (or is located) near another
    occultiste
    a believer in occultism; someone versed in the occult arts
    optimiste
    a person disposed to take a favorable view of things
    possesseur, propriétaire
    a person who owns something
    associé, collaborateur
    a person who is a member of a partnership
    parti
    a person involved in legal proceedings
    personnage, personne
    another word for person; a person not meriting identification
    personnification
    a person who represents an abstract quality
    aménageur
    a person who makes plans
    lâcheur
    a person who gives up too easily
    radical
    a person who has radical ideas or opinions
    sauveteur
    someone who saves something from danger or violence
    millionnaire, riche
    a person who possesses great material wealth
    dirigeant
    a person who rules or commands
    homme de science, scientifique
    a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
    signataire
    someone who signs and is bound by a document
    nigaud, simplet
    a person lacking intelligence or common sense
    esclave
    a person who is owned by someone
    petite personne
    a person of below average size
    sorte
    a person of a particular character or nature
    survivant
    one who outlives another
    suspect
    someone who is under suspicion
    lanceur
    someone who projects something (especially by a rapid motion of the arm)
    travesti
    someone who adopts the dress or manner or sexual role of the opposite sex
    accrocheur, fonceur
    one who tries
    utilisateur
    a person who makes use of a thing; someone who uses or employs something
    dindon, dupe, pigeon
    a person who is tricked or swindled
    guerrier
    someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
    faible
    a person who is physically weak and ineffectual
    lichen
    any thallophytic plant of the division Lichenes; occur as crusty patches or bushy growths on tree trunks or rocks or bare ground etc.
    levure
    any of various single-celled fungi that reproduce asexually by budding or division
    phallus impudique
    any of various ill-smelling brown-capped fungi of the order Phallales
    vesse-de-loup
    any of various fungi of the family Lycoperdaceae whose round fruiting body discharges a cloud of spores when mature
    bolet
    any fungus of the family Boletaceae
    rouille
    any of various fungi causing rust disease in plants
    charbon
    any fungus of the order Ustilaginales
    moisi, moisissure, moule
    a fungus that produces a superficial growth on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter
    mildiou, moisissure
    a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter
    plante d'appartement
    any of a variety of plants grown indoors for decorative purposes
    plante vasculaire
    green plant having a vascular system: ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms
    plante vénéneuse
    a plant that when touched or ingested in sufficient quantity can be harmful or fatal to an organism
    parasite
    plant living on another plant and obtaining organic nutriment from it
    plante épiphyte, épiphyte
    plant that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain; usually grows on another plant but not parasitic on it
  3. noun
    a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
    synonyms: animal, créature
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    animal domestique
    an animal trained for and used for heavy labor
    animal domestique
    any of various animals that have been tamed and made fit for a human environment
    animal de compagnie, animal familier
    a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
    femelle
    an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes (spermatozoa)
    mâle
    an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes (ova)
    adulte
    any mature animal
    petit
    any immature animal
    pur-sang
    a pedigreed animal of unmixed lineage; used especially of horses
    survivant
    an animal that survives in spite of adversity
    mutant
    an animal that has undergone mutation
    herbivore
    any animal that feeds chiefly on grass and other plants
    cordé
    any animal of the phylum Chordata having a notochord or spinal column
    invertébré
    any animal lacking a backbone or notochord; the term is not used as a scientific classification
    prédateur
    any animal that lives by preying on other animals
    proie
    animal hunted or caught for food
    gibier
    animal hunted for food or sport
    larve
    the immature free-living form of most invertebrates and amphibians and fish which at hatching from the egg is fundamentally unlike its parent and must metamorphose
    animal fictif
    animals that exist only in fiction (usually in children's stories)
    bête de charge, bête de somme
    an animal such as a donkey or ox or elephant used for transporting loads or doing other heavy work
    bête de trait
    an animal used for pulling heavy loads
    poule
    female of certain aquatic animals e.g. octopus or lobster
    jeune mammifère
    any immature mammal
    mère
    female parent of an animal especially domestic livestock
    vertebré
    animals having a bony or cartilaginous skeleton with a segmented spinal column and a large brain enclosed in a skull or cranium
    jeune oiseau
    a bird that is still young
    arthropode
    invertebrate having jointed limbs and a segmented body with an exoskeleton made of chitin
    éponge
    primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies
    cnidaires
    radially symmetrical animals having saclike bodies with only one opening and tentacles with stinging structures; they occur in polyp and medusa forms
    cténophore
    biradially symmetrical hermaphroditic solitary marine animals resembling jellyfishes having for locomotion eight rows of cilia arranged like teeth in a comb
    asticot, ver
    any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae
    coquillage, mollusque
    invertebrate having a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a shell
    chien, chien domestique
    a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
    lévrier
    a tall slender dog of an ancient breed noted for swiftness and keen sight; used as a racing dog
    chat domestique
    any domesticated member of the genus Felis
    grands fauves, gros gibier
    large animals that are hunted for sport
    gibier à plumes
    any bird (as grouse or pheasant) that is hunted for sport
    chenille
    a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth
    asticot, larve
    a soft thick wormlike larva of certain beetles and other insects
    échinodermes
    marine invertebrates with tube feet and five-part radially symmetrical bodies
    pouliche
    a young female horse under the age of four
    poulain
    a young male horse under the age of four
    cheval mâle
    the male of species Equus caballus
    jeune poisson
    a fish that is young
    type of:
    forme de vie, organisme, vie
    a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently
  4. verb
    form or compose
    synonyms: constituer, représenter
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    faire
    constitute the essence of
    constituer, faire, former
    to compose or represent:"This wall forms the background of the stage setting"
    s'allonger, s'étendre
    range or extend over; occupy a certain area
    être classé dans, être compris
    be included in or classified as
    poser
    introduce
  5. verb
    be felt or perceived in a certain way
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    type of:
    avoir l'air, paraître, sembler
    give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
  6. verb
    represent, as of a character on stage
    synonyms: incarner
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    types:
    personnifier
    invest with or as with a body; give body to
    représenter
    be characteristic of
    type of:
    représenter, symboliser
    express indirectly by an image, form, or model; be a symbol
  7. verb
    occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere
    synonyms: occuper une certaine position, se trouver
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    s'étendre
    occupy a large, elongated area
    aller à, avoir recours à, recourir à, se rendre
    be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
    emplir, remplir
    occupy the whole of
    habiter, occuper, peupler, vivre
    inhabit or live in; be an inhabitant of
    habiter, occuper
    be present in
    toucher, être en contact
    to extend as far as
    conduire, mener, s'étendre
    stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope; run or extend between two points or beyond a certain point
    aller, mener
    lead, extend, or afford access
    couvrir
    span an interval of distance, space or time
    dépasser, sortir
    reach outward in space
    se trouver
    be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
    faire face
    be opposite
    suivre
    be next
    avoir sa place, être à sa place
    be in the right place or situation
    habiter, loger, occuper, résider
    live (in a certain place)
    cohabiter, vivre ensemble
    share living quarters; usually said of people who are not married and live together as a couple
    habiter temporairement, loger
    be a lodger; stay temporarily
    bivouaquer, camper
    live in or as if in a tent
    prolonger
    to cover or extend over an area or time period
    proliférer, s'étaler, s'étendre
    spread across or over
    rencontrer
    run into or up to
    pencher, s'incliner
    lie obliquely
    faire face, regarder
    be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
    surplomber
    be in the front of or on top of
    aligner
    be in line with; form a line along
    avoir vue, donner
    be oriented in a certain direction
  8. verb
    have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
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    avoir mal, ressentir une douleur, se sentir mal, souffrir
    feel pain or be in pain
    aller bien
    be healthy; feel good
    se sentir mal, subir
    feel unwell or uncomfortable
    se sentir
    be conscious of a physical, mental, or emotional state
    demeurer, rester
    stay the same; remain in a certain state
    pétiller, scintiller
    be lively or brilliant or exhibit virtuosity
    avoir besoin de, exiger
    have need of
    reposer, être au repos
    not move; be in a resting position
    bouillir, être furieux
    be in an agitated emotional state
    avoir l'air, paraître, sembler
    give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
    apparaître, sembler
    seem to be true, probable, or apparent
    avoir une ardoise chez, avoir une dette, devoir
    be in debt
    définir, délimiter
    determine the essential quality of
    consister à
    be composed of
    démontrer, prouver
    be shown or be found to be
    rester
    be left; of persons, questions, problems, results, evidence, etc.
    défendre, soutenir, être attaché à
    be loyal to
    atermoyer, flâner, traîner
    be about
    monter, s'élever, se dénombrer, se monter, totaliser
    add up in number or quantity
    compter, importer
    have weight; have import, carry weight
    mériter, valoir
    be worthy or deserving
    incarner, personnifier
    represent in bodily form
    coûter, être à
    be priced at
    mesurer
    have certain dimensions
    bourdonner
    be noisy with activity
    abonder
    be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
    discorder, être en disharmonie
    be different from one another
    béer, être béant
    be wide open
    avoir un penchant, avoir une tendance
    have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
    dire
    have a particular form
    presser
    be urgent
    faire rage
    be violent; as of fires and storms
    se relier, être lié
    be in a relationship with
    être imminent
    be imminent or about to happen
    aller, varier
    change or be different within limits
    demeurer, rester
    continue in a place, position, or situation
    se vendre
    be sold at a certain price or in a certain way
    être l'objet de
    be subject to or the object of
    tomber, venir
    come under, be classified or included
    rencontrer, rentrer
    be beset by
    payer, valoir la peine
    be worth it
    rester
    be and remain in a particular state or condition
    se trouver
    occupy a place or location, also metaphorically
    aller, arranger, convenir
    be agreeable or acceptable
    adapter, aller, avoir la bonne taille, être à la taille
    conform to some shape or size
    se prêter
    have certain characteristics of qualities for something; be open or vulnerable to
    appartenir
    be rightly classified in a class or category
    avoir sa place
    be suitable or acceptable
    serpenter, tourner
    extend in curves and turns
    prendre
    be designed to hold or take
    souffrir de
    suffer from; be ill with
    suffoquer
    struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake
    geler
    be cold
    être malade
    be ill or unwell
    garder la même position, ne pas céder
    maintain the same position; wait it out
    continuer
    continue or extend
    placer, se classer
    take a place in a competition; often followed by an ordinal
    délimiter
    fix in scope; fix the boundaries of
    affamer, mourir de faim, souffrir de la faim
    be hungry; go without food
    être debout
    be standing; be upright
    se sentir, sentir
    produce a certain impression
    se faire passer
    be accepted as something or somebody in a false character or identity
    sembler, sonner
    appear in a certain way
    rayonner
    have a complexion with a strong bright color, such as red or pink
    briller, luire, étinceler
    be shiny, as if wet
    rester ensemble, rester solidaire
    be loyal to one another, especially in times of trouble
    découler, résulter, s'ensuivre
    issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
    rester
    dwell
    presser
    to be oppressive or burdensome
    cesser lentement, continuer, persister
    continue to exist
    aller
    be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired
    sauter aux yeux
    be highly noticeable
    faire son apparition, se lever
    rise up
    apparaître, se montrer
    come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
    peser
    have a certain weight
    durer, rester
    persist for a specified period of time
    fourmiller, grouiller, pulluler
    be teeming, be abuzz
    se détailler, se vendre au détail
    be sold at the retail level
    se négocier
    be traded at a certain price or under certain conditions
    graviter, tourner
    move toward
    se conserver, se garder
    fail to spoil or rot
  9. verb
    have life, be alive
    synonyms: vivre
    survivre, tenir, vivre, vivre de
    continue to live through hardship or adversity
  10. verb
    be in some specified state or condition
  11. verb
    have an existence, be extant
    synonyms: exister
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    traîner
    be around; be alive or active
    coexister
    exist together
    compromettre, constituer une menace pour, menacer, mettre en danger
    pose a threat to; present a danger to
    coexister
    coexist peacefully, as of nations
  12. verb
    be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
    synonyms: se trouver
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    pencher, s'incliner
    lie obliquely
    faire face, regarder
    be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
    surplomber
    be in the front of or on top of
    aligner
    be in line with; form a line along
    avoir vue, donner
    be oriented in a certain direction
    surmonter
    be on top of
    type of:
    occuper une certaine position, se trouver
    occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere
  13. verb
    be identical or equivalent to
    synonyms: équivaloir, être équivalent
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    correspondre, s'accorder, être similaire
    be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
    faire, paraître
    accord in appearance with
    aligner
    be or come into adjustment with
    correspondre, s'accorder
    be compatible with
    confirmer, corroborer
    support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm
    ressembler, se ressembler
    appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
    observer, se conformer, être conforme
    satisfy a condition or restriction
    adapter, arranger, concorder avec, convenir, s'accorder avec
    accord or comport with
    concorder, convenir, s'accorder, s'harmoniser, se mettre d'accord, se mettre en harmonie
    go together
  14. verb
    occupy a place or location, also metaphorically
    synonyms: se trouver
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