Published September 17, 2012 • Updated March 3, 2026 — Lessons written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
French words used in English — also called loanwords — are terms that English borrowed directly from French. You probably use many of them every day without even realizing it. Words like déjà vu, restaurant, fiancé, and genre all come straight from French and still carry a distinctly French flavor.
There are so many French loanwords in English because of history. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, French heavily influenced English vocabulary — especially in areas like food, government, fashion, art, and culture. Over time, thousands of French words became part of everyday English.
What makes these words especially fascinating is that they often sound different in French than they do in English. Learning how they’re actually pronounced — and how native speakers use them in real sentences — adds a whole new layer of understanding.
In this guide, you’ll find a categorized list of common French loanwords used in English. Many are linked to full lessons here on FrenchLearner, where you can hear native audio recorded by Marie Assel Cambier and see real example sentences. It’s a fun and practical way to connect the English words you already know with their authentic French usage.
🍽️ Food & Drink
à la carte — ordering individual dishes rather than a set meal
apéritif — alcoholic drink taken before a meal
amuse-bouche — bite-sized appetizer offered by the chef
au gratin — topped with browned cheese or crumbs
filet mignon — cut of meat
café au lait — coffee with milk
baguette — long, thin loaf of bread
bistro — small restaurant
bon vivant — person who enjoys a luxurious lifestyle
buffet — self-serve meal
café — coffee or coffee shop
chef — professional cook
connoisseur — expert judge in matters of taste
cuisine — style or method of cooking
crème brûlée — custard dessert with caramelized sugar
croissant — crescent-shaped pastry
entrée — main course (US usage)
foie gras — fattened duck or goose liver
hors d’oeuvre — appetizer served before the main course
maître d’ — head waiter
menu — list of dishes
omelette — beaten egg dish
restaurant — place where meals are served
sauté — fried quickly in hot fat
soufflé — light baked dish
vinaigrette — oil and vinegar dressing
🎨 Arts & Literature
avant-garde — innovative or experimental
genre — category or type
mélange — mixture
motif — decorative design or recurring theme
renaissance — revival or renewed interest
résumé — summary of experience
surreal — bizarre; dreamlike
tableau — vivid scene or picture
tour de force — impressive achievement
💬 Everyday Words & Expressions
bon voyage — have a good trip
carte blanche — complete freedom
cliché — overused idea or expression
coup de grâce — final decisive blow
déjà vu — feeling of familiarity
en route — on the way
faux pas — social mistake
joie de vivre — joy of living
laissez-faire — hands-off approach
raison d’être — reason for existence
rendez-vous — meeting
savoir-faire — practical knowledge
souvenir — item purchased on a trip
touché — acknowledgment of a good point
à propos — regarding, fitting
vis-à-vis — in relation to; with regard to
façade — facade, front
👗 Fashion & Lifestyle
à la mode — fashionable
boutique — small specialty shop
chic — stylish
couture — high fashion design
décolleté — low neckline
démodé — out of fashion
en vogue — trendy
ensemble — coordinated outfit
fiancé / fiancée — engaged person
lingerie — women’s undergarments
mannequin — fashion model
parfum — perfume
prêt-à-porter — ready-to-wear clothing
silhouette — outline of a person
svelte — slender and elegant
⚖️ Diplomacy, Law & Government
attaché — diplomatic official
bureaucracie — administrative system
chargé d’affaires — diplomatic representative
coup d’état — sudden seizure of power
liaison — communication link
rapport — harmonious relationship
rapprochement — establishment of friendly relations
🎖️ Military
bivouac — temporary camp
camouflage — concealment by disguise
corps — main military division
espionage — spying
fusillade — simultaneous gunfire
reconnaissance — military observation
🚗 Transportation & Leisure
chauffeur — driver
cul-de-sac — dead-end street
parachute — skydiving device
pétanque — French bowling game
tour — stage of a race
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🗂️ French Interjections Reference Card
Save this visual list for your future reference — it’s a quick guide to the most useful French loanwords and their meanings.
Where to go next?
👉 French vocabulary hub (150 lists) »
👉 Word of the Day lessons »
French Words Used in English (Loanwords) — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are French words used in English?
French words used in English — often called French loanwords — are terms that English borrowed directly from French, such as déjà vu, fiancé, restaurant, and cliché.
What is a French loanword?
A French loanword is a word that English adopted from the French language. Many French loanwords are still spelled the same as in French and are commonly used in everyday English.
Why are there so many French words used in English?
After the Norman Conquest of 1066, French strongly influenced English vocabulary. As a result, thousands of French words became part of English, especially in food, government, art, fashion, and culture.
Are French loanwords pronounced the same in French?
Not always. Many French words used in English are pronounced differently in French. Learning the original French pronunciation helps you sound more natural and understand native speakers better.
Should beginners learn French loanwords?
Yes. Because many French loanwords already exist in English, they are easier to recognize and remember. They provide a fast vocabulary boost at beginner level.
