From AI instructions to flirting, via influencers, slackers and chocolate – here are some of the new words that been included in French dictionaries for the first time this year.
The new versions of Le Petit Robert dictionary and Le Petit Larousse illustré (illustrated dictionary) each include around 150 newly added words and expressions.
“Every entry in the dictionary is a sign of the times,” Bernard Cerquiglini, scientific adviser to Le Petit Larousse, told the French press.
“The 2027 edition features terms that illustrate progress in the area of inclusion, highlight contemporary ills” and “reflect an openness to the world, through the French-speaking world and culinary cultures”, Cerquiglini added.
Most of these words are not new coinages, and in fact some have been used for decades, but their inclusion into the dictionary marks a new step in their evolution.
“A word is included in the dictionary when we consider it to be well established in the French language, particularly in the media or on social media”, said Géraldine Moinard, editorial director of Le Robert dictionaries.
Here are some examples;
Charo (Le Robert)
The word charo comes from slang. While it can refer to a charognard (scavenger), it is also used to describe a coureur de jupons (womaniser) – a man who can’t help but constantly try to pick up women. These days it’s most commonly used in a negative sense to condemn this behaviour. We might translate it into English as a ‘sleaze’ or a ‘sex pest’.
Crush (Larousse)
Just like the English meaning, the word crush used in French is a sudden infatuation with someone or a sudden attraction to something.
The English verb “to crush” meaning “to grind” is actually borrowed from the Old French cruisir, meaning “to break”, “to shatter”, “to destroy”, according to the Académie française. Meanwhile, the noun crush means a “crowd of people” but also “infatuation”, like in the phrase “to have a crush on someone”.
Bouiner (Le Robert)
This verb is used to describe someone who isn’t doing much, twiddling their thumbs or beating around the bush. Generally speaking, bouiner implies a lack of enthusiasm and a reluctance to tackle a task.
Dinguerie (Larousse)
A foolish or extravagant action or remark, something extraordinary or grandiose, likely to inspire wonder or admiration.
READ ALSO: French Word of the Day: Dingue
Instavidéaste (Le Robert)
A mix of instantané (instant) and vidéaste (videographer) – this word refers to a digital content creator who broadcasts videos live on platforms such as Twitch, YouTube Live, TikTok or Instagram.
Matrixer (Le Robert)
Inspired by the movie The Matrix by the Wachowski duo, the verb matrixer means to condition someone to the point of impairing their free will.
There’s a curiously long-running urban myth that the film The Matrix was titled Les jeunes qui traversent des dimensions en portant des lunettes de soleil (young people who travel in dimensions while wearing sunglasses) for a French audience. In fact the film appeared in France as Matrix, although it was La Matrice in Quebec.
Marrainer (Le Robert)
To offer moral support for a project or a cause, referring to a woman. It comes from marraine, meaning either a godmother or a mentor.
READ ALSO: French Word of the Day: Parrain / Marraine
Onigiri (Le Robert)
There are a few new culinary words that have made the 2027 edition. Onigiri – a Japanese seasoned rice ball wrapped in nori seaweed – is one of them.
Pistole (Larousse)
A pistole is a flat, round or oval chocolate disc used in pâtisserie making.
You might know this word from les pistoles de Marie-Antoinette. Linked to the historic chocolatiers Debauve & Gallais, these delicacies are believed to trace back to Sulpice Debauve, pharmacist to Louis XVI, who reportedly created them to make a medicine prepared for the queen, Marie-Antoinette, more enjoyable to take.
To achieve this, he is said to have combined the remedy with cocoa and almond milk before shaping it into small circles. More refined than a medicinal potion and easier to consume, these bite-sized treats reportedly won over Marie-Antoinette, who is believed to have given them the name pistoles.
Prompter (Larousse)
With the rise of technology, a few words needed to be included as well. This verb means sending a prompt or instruction to a generative AI tool to obtain a specific response. It comes from the English word ‘prompt’ – if you are using prompt in a non-tech sense, you would use the French verb inciter. As with most English words that are imported into French, it is an ‘er’ verb.
New personalities
Among new entries Le Petit Larousse added dancer Guillaume Diop, writer Danièle Sallenave, filmmaker James Gray, cyclist Tadej Pogacar and basketball player Victor Wembanyama.
Meanwhile, Le Petit Robert, has pages dedicated to Pope Leo XIV, Gisèle Pelicot and cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot.
