What does feu in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word feu in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use feu in French.

The word feu in French means fire, fire, fire, ring, burner, light, light, traffic light, fire, late, fire, heat, firearm, gun, lighter, trial by fire, sparkle, glitter, fire, light, house, home, homestead, lights, on a low heat, over an open fire, over an open flame, fire-retardant, slowly, on a low heat, over a low heat, firelighter, set the place on fire, create an electric atmosphere, firearm, by the fireside, Fire!, be in a mad rush, be hot to trot, have the green light, be flushed, be red in the face, go red in the face, be red in the face, go red in the face, be feisty, baptism of fire, baptism by fire, baptism of fire, baptism by fire, jump the lights, go through a red light, chat by the fireside, chat around the fire, ceasefire, fight fire with fire, give the order to fire, backfire, gunshot, action stations, firebreak, firewall, curfew, curfew, breathe fire, be on fire, fire breather, baked in a wood-fired oven, in the heat of the action, start of fire, beginning of fire, small fire, give the green light, give the green light, exchange of gunfire, exchange of shots, written in flames, on fire, bet your life on it, stake your life on it, bet your bottom dollar on it, baptism of fire, first action, be ablaze, burn with enthusiasm, light a fire, fire, shoot, pull out all the stops, make sacrifices for the greater good, misfire, misfire, light a fire, fake fire, rear light, fire blight, firework, flare, wood fire, camp fire, open fire, chimney fire, traffic light, forest fire, wildfire, bonfire, straw fire, flash in the pan, flash in the pan, reverse light, reversing light, traffic lights, tearaway, will-o'-the-wisp, roaring blaze, hail of bullets, deluge, outpouring, amber light, red light, red traffic light, fire in your belly, fire in the belly, brake light, traffic lights, green light, green traffic light, green light, firescreen, jump a red light, there's no smoke without fire, Where's the fire?, immolation, burning, play with fire, play with fire, firing line, line of fire, firebreak, fire line, work incredibly well, set light to, put to fire and the sword, add fuel to the fire, set on fire, set on fire, spark things off, bet your life, stake your life, bet your bottom dollar. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word feu

fire

nom masculin (combustion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La maîtrise du feu a marqué un tournant important dans la vie des Hommes.
Controlling fire marked an important turning point in the life of humankind.

fire

nom masculin (incendie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a le feu dans la pinède !
There's a fire in the pine forest!

fire

nom masculin (source de chaleur, amas brûlant)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le soir venu, les campeurs ont allumé un feu. Approche-toi du feu si tu as froid.
With evening drawing in, the campers lit a fire. Come closer to the fire if you're cold.

ring, burner

nom masculin (foyer de cuisson)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les cuisinières ont souvent quatre feux.
Cookers often have four rings.

light

nom masculin (pour allumer une cigarette)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Excusez-moi, vous auriez du feu ?
Excuse me, have you got a light?

light, traffic light

nom masculin (feu tricolore) (often plural)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cet automobiliste a grillé le feu. Au deuxième feu, tournez à droite et vous arriverez à la mairie.
At the second set of traffic lights, turn right and you will come to the town hall.

fire

nom masculin (tirs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le capitaine a demandé de n'ouvrir le feu qu'à son ordre.
The captain asked them to open fire only on his order.

late

adjectif (soutenu, littéraire (décédé) (preceding a name or title)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Le feu roi et la feue reine sont inhumés à Saint-Denis.
The late king and queen were buried at Saint Denis.

fire

interjection (ordre pour tirer)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
À mon commandement, feu !
On my order, fire!

heat

nom masculin (ardeur)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il a perdu son casque dans le feu de l'action.
He lost his helmet in the heat of the action.

firearm, gun

nom masculin (argot (arme de poing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce détective privé ne sort jamais sans son feu.
The private detective never goes out without his gun.

lighter

nom masculin (argot (briquet)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Peux-tu me prêter ton feu ?
Could you lend me your lighter?

trial by fire

nom masculin (supplice du bûcher)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les sorcières étaient soumises au feu au Moyen Âge.
In the Dark Ages, witches were subjected to trial by fire.

sparkle, glitter, fire, light

nom masculin (littéraire (éclat)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce diamant rayonne de mille feux.
This diamond shines with a thousand sparkles.

house, home, homestead

nom masculin (vieilli (foyer, maison)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a 154 feux dans ce village.
This village has one hundred and fifty-four hearths.

lights

nom masculin pluriel (lumières d'un lieu de spectacle)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les feux de ce spectacle son et lumière sont fabuleux.
The lights of this sound and light show are spectacular.

on a low heat

locution adverbiale (cuisine : à faible température)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

over an open fire, over an open flame

locution adverbiale (à haute température)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Saisissez la viande à feu vif.

fire-retardant

locution adjectivale (résistant au feu) (fabric, clothing)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les vêtements des pompiers sont à l'épreuve du feu.

slowly

locution adverbiale (lentement)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

on a low heat, over a low heat

locution adverbiale (cuisson : pas très chaud)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

firelighter

nom masculin (matière combustible)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les scouts allument leur feu de camp avec un allume-feu naturel.

set the place on fire, create an electric atmosphere

(familier (mettre beaucoup d'ambiance) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette vedette va allumer le feu dans cette soirée.

firearm

nom féminin (fusils, pistolets)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Une arme à feu permet d'envoyer un projectile à distance.

by the fireside

locution adverbiale (près de la cheminée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Mon grand-père faisait toujours ses mots croisés au coin du feu.
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. It was a cold evening, so the family sat around the fire after dinner.

Fire!

interjection (signalement d'incendie)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
"Au feu !" hurlèrent les personnes prisonnières de l'immeuble en flammes.

be in a mad rush

locution verbale (familier (être pressé)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be hot to trot

locution verbale (péjoratif, vulgaire (voir de forts désirs sexuels) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

have the green light

locution verbale (figuré (avoir l'autorisation) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai le feu vert pour m'inscrire.

be flushed

locution verbale (avoir les joues rougies par le froid) (with cold)

be red in the face, go red in the face

locution verbale (figuré (être rouge de honte) (with embarrassment)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be red in the face, go red in the face

locution verbale (figuré (être rouge de colère) (with anger)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be feisty

locution verbale (être impulsif)

baptism of fire, baptism by fire

nom masculin (premier affrontement de l'ennemi) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

baptism of fire, baptism by fire

nom masculin (figuré (première fois pour [qch]) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

jump the lights, go through a red light

locution verbale (passer malgré l'interdiction du feu) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

chat by the fireside, chat around the fire

nom féminin (discussion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La soirée se termina en causerie au coin du feu.

ceasefire

nom masculin invariable (arrêt des tirs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les belligérants ont convenu d'un cessez-le-feu pour Noël.

fight fire with fire

locution verbale (figuré (utiliser les mêmes armes) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

give the order to fire

locution verbale (donner l'ordre de tirer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le gradé refusa de commander le feu sur les ouvriers en grève.

backfire

nom masculin (feu de défense)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le contre-feu consiste à brûler une zone que l'incendie principal ne puisse pas franchir.

gunshot

nom masculin (détonation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Dans le silence de la nuit, tout le monde entendit deux coups de feu.
In the silence of the night everyone heard two gunshots.

action stations

nom masculin (familier (période d'intense activité) (figurative)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
À midi, dans les cuisines du restaurant, c'est le coup de feu.
At lunch time in the restaurant kitchens it is all hands on deck.

firebreak

nom masculin invariable (zone déboisée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Dans le sud, des coupe-feu sont entretenus pour éviter la propagation des incendies.

firewall

nom masculin invariable (élément de construction) (building)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les coupe-feu sont des murs limitant la propagation des incendies.

curfew

nom masculin (interdiction de sortir le soir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour prévenir les émeutes, le gouvernement à instauré un couvre-feu.
To forestall riots, the government imposed a curfew.

curfew

nom masculin (vieux (signal de rentrer chez soi) (signal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Au moment du couvre-feu, il fallait rentrer et éteindre les lumières.
At curfew, we had to go indoors and turn off the lights.

breathe fire

locution verbale (faire sortir des flammes de sa bouche) (dragon)

Le dragon crachait du feu sur les chevaliers venus l'abattre. L'acrobate savait aussi cracher du feu.

be on fire

locution verbale (figuré (piment : avoir la bouche très irritée) (figurative, mouth)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. This curry is so hot! My mouth is on fire!

fire breather

(saltimbanque crachant des flammes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

baked in a wood-fired oven

adjectif (passé dans le four à bois)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Je préfère les pizzas cuites au feu de bois, elles ont meilleur goût.

in the heat of the action

locution adverbiale (en pleine excitation)

start of fire, beginning of fire, small fire

nom masculin (début d'incendie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

give the green light

locution verbale (figuré (autoriser [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mes parents me donnent le feu vert pour prendre la voiture.

give the green light

locution verbale (figuré (permettre [qch]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le maire donne le feu vert à cette construction.

exchange of gunfire, exchange of shots

nom masculin (fusillade)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

written in flames

locution adjectivale (écrit avec des flammes)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

on fire

locution adjectivale (qui brûle)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

bet your life on it, stake your life on it, bet your bottom dollar on it

locution verbale (figuré (être absolument convaincu de [qch]) (colloquial, figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je l'ai vu, j'en mettrais ma main au feu !

baptism of fire

nom féminin (figuré (première expérience pratique) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

first action

nom féminin (premier accrochage armé) (military)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

be ablaze

locution verbale (être dévasté)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

burn with enthusiasm

locution verbale (figuré (déborder d'énergie)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

light a fire

locution verbale (allumer un feu)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

fire, shoot

locution verbale (arme : tirer)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Les gendarmes ont fait feu sur les malfaiteurs pour les arrêter.

pull out all the stops

locution verbale (figuré (se démener)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

make sacrifices for the greater good

locution verbale (sauvegarder l'essentiel)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
En fin diplomate, il a fait la part du feu en abandonnant des revendications mineures.

misfire

locution verbale (échouer) (figurative)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")
Cette tentative de dévier le cours de cette rivière a fait long feu.

misfire

locution verbale (vieilli (arme à feu : ne pas tirer) (firearm)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

light a fire

locution verbale (allumer du feu)

Nous ferons un feu ce soir dans la cheminée.

fake fire

nom masculin (feu factice décoratif)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

rear light

nom masculin (véhicule : signalisation arrière)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

fire blight

nom masculin (maladie des arbres)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

firework

nom masculin (fusée pyrotechnique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Nous achetons des feux d'artifices pour le nouvel an.
We are buying some fireworks for New Year.

flare

nom masculin (fusée éclairante) (light signal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les feux de Bengale servent à signaler les trains en panne.

wood fire

nom masculin (feu de cheminée ou de camp)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les scouts chantaient des chansons autour du feu de bois. Les feux de bois sont très jolis dans les cheminées.

camp fire

nom masculin (feu de bivouac)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Tous les scouts étaient réunis autour du feu de camp.

open fire

nom masculin (moyen de chauffage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

chimney fire

nom masculin (incendie dans une cheminée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

traffic light

nom masculin (feu tricolore) (usually plural)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les feux de circulation gèrent le trafic aux carrefours routiers.

forest fire, wildfire

nom masculin (incendie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un feu de forêt est un incendie qui se propage sur une zone boisée.
A forest fire is a blaze that spreads across a wooded area.

bonfire

nom masculin (grand feu de camp célébrant [qch])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

straw fire

nom masculin (paille qui s’enflamme)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pas besoin d'appeler les pompiers, ce n'est qu'un feu de paille.

flash in the pan

nom masculin (figuré (chose insignifiante) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Comme je l'avais dit ce feu de paille ne marquera pas l'histoire.

flash in the pan

nom masculin (figuré (chose à durée très brève) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette passion n'aura été qu'un feu de paille.

reverse light, reversing light

nom masculin (véhicule : lumière de marche arrière) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

traffic lights

nom masculin (feu tricolore)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les feux de signalisation ont trois couleurs : vert, orange et rouge.

tearaway

nom masculin (figuré (personne très active, dynamique)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
C'en est fini de la tranquillité, notre feu follet est arrivé !
No more peace and quiet for us; here's our tearaway!

will-o'-the-wisp

nom masculin (combustion spontanée de gaz)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les feux follets apparaissent essentiellement dans les cimetières ou dans les marécages du fait de la décomposition de matière organique.
Will-o'-the-wisps appear mainly in cemeteries or in swamps due to the decomposing organic matter.

roaring blaze

nom masculin (feu très fort, violent)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La cheminée chauffait à feu nourri.

hail of bullets

nom masculin (violente fusillade) (countable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La police essuya un feu nourri face aux trafiquants.

deluge, outpouring

nom masculin (figuré (violence) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le gouvernement essuie un feu nourri de critiques.

amber light

nom masculin (signal de passage au feu rouge imminent) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

red light, red traffic light

nom masculin (signalisation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il faut toujours s'arrêter au feu rouge.
You must always stop at a red light.

fire in your belly, fire in the belly

nom masculin (figuré (foi, conviction) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

brake light

nom masculin (véhicule : signal de freinage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

traffic lights

nom masculin (feu de circulation)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Les véhicules doivent attendre que le feu tricolore passe au vert.

green light, green traffic light

nom masculin (signalisation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
J'ai eu de la chance : j'ai eu 3 feux verts sur la route.
I was lucky; I had three green lights on the way.

green light

nom masculin (figuré (accord, autorisation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Tu as le feu vert pour gérer ce dossier à ta guise.
You have the green light to handle this case as you like.

firescreen

nom masculin (pare-feu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Placé devant la cheminée, le garde-feu empêche les braises de sauter vers la pièce.

jump a red light

locution verbale (route : ne pas respecter un feu rouge)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

there's no smoke without fire

(les rumeurs sont vraies)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il n'y a pas de fumée sans feu, cet homme politique est probablement corrompu.

Where's the fire?

(familier (pas besoin de se presser)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

immolation, burning

nom féminin (sacrifice par le feu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

play with fire

locution verbale (figuré (prendre des risques dangereux) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

play with fire

locution verbale (figuré (s'exposer à des problèmes probables) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

firing line, line of fire

nom féminin (ligne de tir) (of a weapon)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

firebreak, fire line

nom féminin (incendie : limite du feu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

work incredibly well

locution verbale (familier (fonctionner parfaitement)

set light to

locution verbale (allumer une mêche)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les artificiers ont mis à feu les charges explosives.

put to fire and the sword

locution verbale (ravager, détruire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les combats de cette guerre mettent la région à feu et à sang.

add fuel to the fire

locution verbale (figuré, péjoratif (faire empirer les choses) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

set on fire

(démarrer un incendie)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La police a arrêté celui qui a mis le feu à ce gymnase.

set on fire

(figuré (créer une ambiance survoltée) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce chanteur a mis le feu au stade vendredi soir.

spark things off

locution verbale (provoquer de violentes réactions)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

bet your life, stake your life, bet your bottom dollar

locution verbale (figuré (jurer) (colloquial, figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je mets ma main au feu qu'il ment.

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Related words of feu

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French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.