What does prêter in French mean?

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

The word prêter in French means lend , loan, offer, ascribe, attribute, go along with, lend itself to, lend itself to, give rise to confusion, give rise to laughter, give rise to smiles, swear fealty to , swear your fealty to, pledge allegiance to , pledge your allegiance to, give assistance, give assistance to, pay attention to, lend an ear, listen to, leave yourself wide open to, leave yourself wide open to criticism, leave yourself wide open to attack, lend a hand, lend a helping hand, be the voice of , perform the voice of, take an oath, be modelled on, become the face of [a brand], play along, participate in the game. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word prêter

lend , loan

(mettre [qch] à disposition de [qqn])

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Peux-tu me prêter ta voiture ce matin ?
Can you lend me your car this morning?

offer

verbe transitif (apporter)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Ma voisine prête toujours son aide dans les circonstances difficiles.
My neighbour always lends her help in difficult circumstances.

ascribe, attribute

verbe transitif (supposer)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Pourquoi lui prêtes-tu de telles intentions ?
Why do you ascribe such intentions to him?

go along with

(consentir à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon neveu se prête facilement aux caprices de sa fille. Même le directeur s'est prêté de bonne grâce à l'exercice.
My nephew is all too ready to humour his daughter's whims.

lend itself to

(convenir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette grande salle se prête bien à un mariage. Si l'occasion s'y prête, je sortirai ma guitare et jouerai quelques morceaux.
If the opportunity presents itself, I will take out my guitar and play a few pieces.

lend itself to

(être bien adapté à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette grande bibliothèque se prête au rangement de mes vinyles.
This big bookcase is perfect for storing my vinyl records.

give rise to confusion

locution verbale (embrouiller)

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

give rise to laughter

locution verbale (être risible)

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

give rise to smiles

locution verbale (qui favorise les moqueries)

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

swear fealty to , swear your fealty to

locution verbale (vieux (se mettre au service d'un seigneur) (archaic)

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

pledge allegiance to , pledge your allegiance to

locution verbale (adhérer, se mettre au service de [qqn])

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

give assistance, give assistance to

locution verbale (soutenu (aider [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le médecin présent dans l'avion prêta assistance au malade.

pay attention to

(remarquer, surveiller)

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

lend an ear

locution verbale (écouter [qqn]) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le joueur prêta l'oreille à son entraîneur pour réussir cet exercice.

listen to

locution verbale (prendre en compte, écouter)

Le stagiaire prêtait l'oreille aux remarques et avait soif de s'améliorer.

leave yourself wide open to

locution verbale (s'exposer, donner prise à)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Son attitude prête le flanc aux accusations.

leave yourself wide open to criticism, leave yourself wide open to attack

locution verbale (s'exposer à la critique)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Une nouvelle fois, ce cinéaste prête le flanc à la critique.

lend a hand, lend a helping hand

locution verbale (aider)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Des amis sont venus me prêter main-forte quand j'ai fait des travaux chez moi.

be the voice of , perform the voice of

locution verbale (doubler un personnage) (film)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce comédien de doublage a prêté sa voix à plusieurs personnages de dessins animés.

take an oath

locution verbale (jurer, assurer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Elle a prêté serment devant monsieur le maire.

be modelled on

(servir de modèle à) (subject/object inversion)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Lætitia Casta a prêté ses traits à Marianne.
Marianne is modelled on Laëtitia Casta.

become the face of [a brand]

(acteur : interpréter un pesonnage)

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

play along, participate in the game

locution verbale (accepter de jouer un rôle)

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

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of prêter in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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