Vocabulary
UK flagEN
French flagFR
Choose Your Language
The content of the blog is available in English and French. You can change the language at any time at the top of the page.
representation de l'objet

15 words to impress in French

Difficulty:B2

-

3/12/2025

To make your conversations richer and express yourself better in French, certain sophisticated terms can really help. Today, let’s explore together 15 advanced and useful words in French. Don't worry! Each word will be explained clearly and illustrated with practical examples.

15 Must-know Words

prosaïque

prosaic(Adjective)

Alternatives: banal - ordinaire

Il a une vision prosaïque de l'amour.

Lacking poetry, elegance, or originality.

ambivalent

ambivalent(Adjective)

Alternatives: équivoque - incertain

Elle éprouve des sentiments ambivalents.

Presenting two contradictory or different aspects.

ostentatoire

ostentatious(Adjective)

Alternatives: voyant

Il portait des tatouages ostentatoires.

Seeking to attract attention.

méticuleux

meticulous(Adjective)

Alternatives: minutieux - soigneux

Il était ordonné et méticuleux.

Paying great attention to small details.

désinvolte

casual(Adjective)

Alternatives: négligent - insouciant

Elle est désinvolte avec ses parents.

Showing a lack of seriousness or respect.

ingénu

ingenuous(Adjective)

Alternatives: naïf - candide

L'enfant ingénu croyait encore aux contes de fées.

Sincere and naïve, without deceit.

intègre

upright(Adjective)

Alternatives: honnête

Un juge intègre ne se laisse pas corrompre.

Honest and morally upright.

vindicatif

vindictive(Adjective)

Alternatives: rancunier

Son ton vindicatif trahissait sa rancune.

Seeking revenge.

stoïque

stoic(Adjective)

Alternatives: impassible - imperturbable

Il resta stoïque face aux critiques.

Remaining calm and indifferent to events.

placide

placid(Adjective)

Alternatives: calme - paisible

Même sous pression, elle gardait son air placide.

Calm, gentle, and peaceful.

pittoresque

picturesque(Adjective)

Alternatives: charmant - original

Ce village pittoresque attire de nombreux touristes.

Charming due to originality or beauty.

candide

naive(Adjective)

Alternatives: naïf - innocent

Elle était trop candide pour deviner ses intentions.

Innocent and lacking suspicion or malice.

pernicieux

pernicious(Adjective)

Alternatives: nuisible - nocif

Son influence pernicieuse le détourna du droit chemin.

Harmful or damaging.

lugubre

gloomy(Adjective)

Alternatives: sombre - triste

La vieille maison avait un air lugubre.

Expressing deep sadness.

prolixe

verbose(Adjective)

Alternatives: bavard

Son discours prolixe ennuyait l'assemblée.

Talking excessively or with too many details.

Flashcards

Shuffle

Swap faces

Loading...

Exercises

Loading...

Loading...

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now know 15 new terms to deepen your command of French. Start using them right away in your conversations to impress your listeners! To go even further, join the community of learners at Start French Now. We offer courses tailored to your needs and structured according to your level.

Discover our courses here

Bonne continuation and see you soon!