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A great number of words of French origin have entered the English language to the extent that many Latin words have come to the English language. Up to 45% of all English words have a French origin.
Jul 13, 2021 · It’s estimated that 30 percent of English words come from French, but you probably don’t recognize all of them. By Nuno Marques. July 13, 2021. English is a mishmash of a language — it’s the product of many cultures clashing on the British Isles for over 1,000 years, followed by an empire spread around the globe.
With its long and rich history, the English language has adopted many French words over the years, forming a complex and interesting story behind our everyday vocabulary. Let's have a look at some of the most common English words of French origin, along with their initial meanings and examples of use:
We’ve compiled a list of the most common 100 French-origin words used in everyday English. So whether you’re a language enthusiast or just curious about the roots of the words you use every day, this list will provide a fascinating insight into the impact of French on the English language!
Words used today that originated with the Norman Conquest range from everyday terms used in law (“justice,” “attorney,” “judge”), government (“regime,” “parliament”), and the arts (“ballet,” “oeuvre”), to food (“beef,” “cuisine”) and fashion (“petite,” “chic”).
English Words of French Origin. By Valorie Delp. iStock.com. As language evolves, Anglophones have borrowed literally hundreds of words from the French language. Sources such as the online etymology dictionary, Webster-Merriam and the Oxford Eymology Reference can help provide clarity on how these French words arrived in the English language.
Jun 5, 2022 · Since the Norman Conquest of 1066, following which a French-speaking aristocracy was established in England, French words and phrases have fused with the English language. We’ve compiled a list of more than 30 English words with French origins that are commonly used today.
