What does mot in French mean?

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

The word mot in French means word, a few words, message, note, saying, expression, tacitly, implicitly, at the least, have the last word, have your say, have to say, witty remark, clever remark, stumble over a word, try to find the word, that's a bit much, Is that your final word?, read between the lines, in every sense of the word, in every meaning of the word, in all senses of the word, implicit meaning, the last word, have a word with, use a word at every opportunity, in a word, all one word, long and the short of, put a word in for with, swear word, swearword, let out a word, leave a note, the last word, the last straw, that's putting it mildly, keyword, watchword, word for word, meaningful word, compound word, witticism, witty remark, note, letter of introduction, watchword, password, password, billet-doux, sweet nothings, word for word, clever word, empty word, migratory word, keyword, keyword, hashtag, portmanteau word, never raise your voice, be even-tempered, be quietly spoken, never be off your lips, not understand a word of , not understand a single word of, not be an empty word, not be an idle word, not say a word, spread the word, get the word out, let know, get together and decide to do, little note, take at his/her word, take 's word for it, Silence means consent, pass the word around, have a word with about, word-for-word translation, stumble over a word, stumble over a word, find the right word. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word mot

word

nom masculin (vocable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pourrais-tu m'expliquer ce mot ? Votre composition doit tenir en 300 mots maximum.
Could you explain this word to me? Your essay should be a maximum of 300 words.

a few words

nom masculin (petit nombre de parole)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Dis-moi un mot sur cette histoire.
Could you say a few words about this matter?

message, note

nom masculin (message, billet)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Mon cousin m'envoie souvent un petit mot pour prendre de mes nouvelles.
My cousin often sends me a little note to ask what I'm up to.

saying, expression

nom masculin (parole célèbre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
« Le sort en est jeté » est un mot célèbre de Jules César.
"The die is cast" is Julius Caesar's famous saying.

tacitly, implicitly

locution adverbiale (implicitement, évasivement) (expression)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il a avoué son crime à demi-mot.

at the least

locution adverbiale (courant, figuré (au moins)

have the last word

locution verbale (conclure)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les Chinois ont eu le dernier mots dans les négociations.

have your say, have to say

locution verbale (avoir le pouvoir de s'exprimer)

witty remark, clever remark

nom masculin (mot d'esprit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'écrivain était toujours en quête du bon mot qui le ferait briller.

stumble over a word

locution verbale (bredouiller, fourcher)

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

try to find the word

locution verbale (hésiter, chercher un mot)

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

that's a bit much

(c'est exagéré) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Je sauve des vies ? C'est un grand mot. Je me contente de soigner les gens un peu malades.

Is that your final word?

(vous êtes sûr(e) ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
C'est votre dernier mot ? Vous ne le regretterez pas ?

read between the lines

locution verbale (deviner le sens) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Les psychologues comprennent souvent beaucoup de choses à demi-mot.

in every sense of the word, in every meaning of the word, in all senses of the word

locution adverbiale (dans toutes les acceptions)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ce fut une soirée très chaude, dans tous les sens du mot.

implicit meaning

nom masculin (sous-entendu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce diplomate saisit toujours les demi-mots de ses interlocuteurs.

the last word

nom masculin (conclusion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Après avoir longuement argumenté, j'ai eu le dernier mot.

have a word with

(parler directement à [qqn] de [qch])

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

use a word at every opportunity

locution verbale (familier, figuré (répéter souvent un mot)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Notre ancien directeur employait les mots « entre guillemets » à toutes les sauces.

in a word

locution adverbiale (en résumant à l'extrême)

En un mot, cette histoire est extravagante.

all one word

locution adverbiale (sans espace entre les mots)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Mon adresse e-mail est « tommartin » en un seul mot, « arrobase wordreference point com ».
My email address is "tommartin," all one word, "at wordreference dot com."

long and the short of

nom masculin (explication finale) (explanation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le fin mot de cette histoire est que Pierre trompait sa femme et que personne ne le savait.

put a word in for with

(parler à [qqn] pour [qqn] d'autre) (speak in favour of someone)

(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. I can put a word in for you with the boss, if you like.

swear word, swearword

nom masculin (mot ordurier, juron)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les enfants adorent prononcer des gros mots.
Children love saying swear words.

let out a word

locution verbale (dire [qch])

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

leave a note

locution verbale (écrire un mot à [qqn] en son absence)

the last word

nom masculin (conclusion)

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

the last straw

nom masculin (mot déclenchant l'exaspération)

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

that's putting it mildly

(la réalité est pire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
C'est un imbécile. Et le mot est faible !

keyword, watchword

nom masculin (mot-clef, mot essentiel)

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

word for word

locution adverbiale (texto, tel quel)

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

meaningful word

nom masculin (mot très significatif)

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

compound word

nom masculin (mot fait de plusieurs)

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

witticism, witty remark

nom masculin (pensée)

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

note

nom masculin (justificatif d'une absence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Lorsque tu reviens à l'école après une absence non justifiée, il faut apporter un mot d'excuse de tes parents au directeur.

letter of introduction

nom masculin (lettre qui facilite l'accès)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Afin de faciliter l'accès de Jean auprès de son nouveau directeur, son ancien patron lui donne un mot d'introduction.

watchword

nom masculin (point clef, consigne)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le mot d'ordre était : « Ne reculez pas ! ».

password

nom masculin (mot sécurisant un accès)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les comptes internet sont accessibles par mot de passe.

password

nom masculin (mot donnant accès à [qch])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le messager annonça le mot de passe pour pénétrer dans le château.

billet-doux

nom masculin (billet d'amour) (dated or humorous, Gallicism)

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

sweet nothings

nom masculin pluriel (paroles romantiques)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Julie aimait quand son chéri lui susurrait des mots doux à l'oreille.

word for word

locution adverbiale (texto, exactement)

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

clever word

nom masculin (appellation scientifique de [qch])

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

empty word

nom masculin (mot inutile) (often plural)

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

migratory word

nom masculin (mot emprunté à une autre langue)

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

keyword

nom masculin (terme révélant le sens)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Quel est le mot-clé dans cette phrase ?

keyword

nom masculin (informatique : terme mis en index) (Computing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les mots-clés permettent de retrouver un article dans un fichier.

hashtag

nom masculin (Internet (mot-clé, hashtag) (social media)

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

portmanteau word

nom masculin (mot résultant de plusieurs)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Sur le modèle du mot-valise « Brexit », certains parlent de « Frexit ». Les publicitaires sont friands de mots-valises.

never raise your voice, be even-tempered, be quietly spoken

locution verbale (être d'humeur égale)

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

never be off your lips

locution verbale (avoir une obsession pour un thème) (theme as subject)

(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. The word taxation is never off their lips.

not understand a word of , not understand a single word of

(ne rien comprendre à [qch])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Nous n'avons pas compris un traître mot à la définition qu'il a donnée.

not be an empty word, not be an idle word

locution verbale (être suivi des faits)

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

not say a word

locution verbale (familier (ne pas faire de commentaire)

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

spread the word, get the word out

locution verbale (transmettre une information)

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

let know

(transmettre une information à [qqn])

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

get together and decide to do

(agir de la même façon) (figurative)

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

little note

nom masculin (message bref et concis)

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

take at his/her word

verbe transitif (mettre [qqn] au défi)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ils le prirent au mot et l'inscrivirent au marathon avec eux.

take 's word for it

verbe transitif (accepter sans réfléchir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il le prit au mot de finir ce travail en trois jours.

Silence means consent

(qui se tait est d'accord)

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

pass the word around

(s'entendre sur [qch])

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

have a word with about

(parler de [qch] à [qqn])

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

word-for-word translation

nom féminin (traduction littérale)

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

stumble over a word

locution verbale (ne pas arriver à lire un mot) (reading)

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

stumble over a word

locution verbale (ne pas arriver à prononcer un mot) (speaking)

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

find the right word

locution verbale (trouver le mot exact)

(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 mot 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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