What does eau in French mean?

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

The word eau in French means water, water, sea, rain, water, waters, UAE, in clean water, with clean water, sentimental, water conveyance, water softener, go downhill, go to the dogs, go down the drain, go with the stream, go with the current, add grist to the mill, water strider, water skipper, water mains inlet, at the water's edge, with the flow, with the current, along the waterside, as arises, be up to your knees in water, salivate at the prospect of, have running water, tank, hot water tank, hot water tank, hot water cylinder, water bomb, water balloon, bottle of water, water buffalo, it's/that's the final straw, it's a drop in the ocean, it is a storm in a teacup, water cannon, water catchment, catchment area, catchment basin, carafe of water, jug of water, flush, toilet flush, once bitten, twice shy, water chestnut, water tower, hot water tank, water heater, electric water heater, solar water heater, solar water heating system, waterfall, crystal clear, rainwater tank, water column, water column stratification, water column, in your element, water meter, flogging a dead horse, water cut-off, waterway, watercress, hydrologic cycle, a lot of water has passed under the bridge, water fountain, water distribution, water supply, water hardness, holy water, holy water, diethyl ether, boiling water, lime water, hard water, waste water, clean water, running water, stagnant water, limewater, cologne, eau de Cologne, bleach, water of life, elixir of life, waste water, waste water, seawater, rainwater, rice water, rose water, Seltzer, Seltzer water, spring water, eau de toilette, toilet water, demineralized water, distilled water, still waters, freshwater, tap water, hard water, bottled water, bottled water, simmering water, cold water, sparkling water, fizzy water, carbonated water, iodized water, run-off, water run-off, open water, adsorbed water, heavy water, mother liquor, mineral water, non-drinkable water, hydrogen peroxide, scented water, sparkling water, still water, rainwater, drinking water, Eau Précieuse, aqua regia. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word eau

water

nom féminin (liquide vital)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau est la source de la vie terrestre.
Water is the source of life on Earth.

water

nom féminin (étendue liquide)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ne te penche pas, tu vas tomber à l'eau !
Don't lean out, you'll fall in the water!

sea

nom féminin (rivages) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Nous passons un week-end au bord de l'eau.
We are spending a weekend at the seaside.

rain

nom féminin (pluie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cela fait trois mois qu'il tombe de l'eau tous les jours !
There's been rain every day for three months now!

water

nom féminin (chimie : solution aqueuse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau de brome est souvent utilisée comme révélateur chimique.
Bromine water is often used as a chemical developer.

waters

nom féminin pluriel (liquide amniotique)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
La future mère vient de perdre les eaux.
The mother-to-be's waters have just broken.

UAE

nom propre masculin pluriel (abréviation écrite (Émirats arabes unis) (initialism)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La conférence se tiendra à Dubaï (EAU).
The conference will be held in Dubai (UAE).

in clean water, with clean water

locution adverbiale (avec de l'eau sans produit ajouté)

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

sentimental

locution adjectivale (sentimental, mièvre)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

water conveyance

nom féminin (conduite d'eau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La mairie a rénové l'adduction dans le village.

water softener

nom masculin (appareil de traitement de l'eau)

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

go downhill, go to the dogs, go down the drain

locution verbale (figuré (dériver, aller mal) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ce projet est raté et va à vau-l'eau.
This project is a failure and is going to the dogs.

go with the stream, go with the current

locution verbale (suivre le courant)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Il veut traverser le lac en allant à vau-l'eau.

add grist to the mill

(donner des arguments à [qqn]) (figurative)

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

water strider, water skipper

nom féminin (insecte à longues pattes) (insect)

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

water mains inlet

nom féminin (robinet général)

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

at the water's edge

locution adverbiale (sur une plage, une berge, une rive)

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

with the flow, with the current

locution adverbiale (à la dérive, en suivant le courant)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Le petit garçon laissa son bateau partir au fil de l'eau.
The little boy let his boat go with the current.

along the waterside

locution adverbiale (sur un cours d'eau et sans barrage)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Sur les rivières à fort débit, on peut installer une centrale au fil de l'eau. Les moulins à aube étaient les premières installations au fil de l'eau.
Watermills were the first buildings along the riverside.

as arises

locution adverbiale (figuré (au fur et à mesure, en temps réel)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Les réclamations sont traitées au fil de l'eau, sans priorité. Ce logiciel bénéficie de mises à jour au fil de l'eau.
This software benefits from real-time updates.

be up to your knees in water

locution verbale (à la hauteur des genoux)

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

salivate at the prospect of

locution verbale (être impatient)

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

have running water

locution verbale (avoir l'eau au robinet)

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

tank, hot water tank

nom masculin (réservoir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il n'y a plus d'eau chaude dans le ballon !
There's no more hot water in the tank.

hot water tank, hot water cylinder

nom masculin (chauffe-eau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Pour une famille de 4 personnes, il faut un ballon d'eau chaude de 250 litres.

water bomb, water balloon

nom féminin (ballon rempli d'eau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les élèves avaient préparé des bombes à eau pour les lancer sur leurs professeurs à la fin des cours.

bottle of water

nom féminin (récipient d'eau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Quand je pars en randonnée, je prends toujours une bouteille d'eau.

water buffalo

nom masculin (buffle d'Asie) (mammal)

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

it's/that's the final straw

(figuré (fait final qui déclenche une réaction)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cet énième refus, c'est la goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase !

it's a drop in the ocean

(figuré (c'est négligeable)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Cette mesure ridicule est une goutte d'eau dans la mer.

it is a storm in a teacup

(c'est insignifiant) (UK)

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

water cannon

nom masculin (lance à eau)

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

water catchment, catchment area, catchment basin

nom masculin (dispositif de prélèvement d'eau) (drainage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le captage d'eau est un dispositif par lequel on puise l'eau nécessaire à un usage donné.

carafe of water, jug of water

nom féminin (pichet d'eau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Sur la table du restaurant, il y a une carafe d'eau à la disposition du consommateur.

flush, toilet flush

nom féminin (écoulement de nettoyage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il faut détartrer cette cuvette, sa chasse d'eau fuit.
This toilet bowl needs descaling; the flush is leaking.

once bitten, twice shy

(on se méfie après une première erreur)

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

water chestnut

nom féminin (fruit de plante aquatique)

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

water tower

nom masculin (pompe, réservoir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les châteaux d'eau se trouvent toujours en hauteur.

hot water tank, water heater

nom masculin invariable (appareil chauffant l'eau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce chauffe-eau électrique consomme très peu.

electric water heater

nom masculin (dispositif de génération d'eau chaude)

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

solar water heater, solar water heating system

nom masculin (chauffeur d'eau grâce au soleil)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Dans une démarche écologique, ils ont opté pour un chauffe-eau solaire.

waterfall

nom féminin (cascade)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La plus haute chute d'eau se situe au Venezuela.

crystal clear

locution adjectivale (figuré (explicite, évident)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

rainwater tank

nom masculin (réservoir d'eau pluviale) (large)

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

water column

nom féminin (volume d'eau au-dessus d'une surface) (jet of water)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'explosion gazeuse a projeté dans les airs une colonne d'eau dépassant 80 mètres de hauteur.

water column stratification

nom féminin (volume d'eau entre un fond et la surface) (strata of water)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
En écologie aquatique, la colonne d'eau représente les niches écologiques.

water column

nom féminin (zone de plongée) (vertical area from surface down)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La colonne d'eau est la zone où le plongeur monte et descend.

in your element

locution adverbiale (très à l'aise)

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

water meter

nom masculin (enregistreur de consommation d'eau)

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

flogging a dead horse

(acte inutile) (figurative)

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

water cut-off

nom féminin (arrêt de distribution d'eau)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On se rend compte du confort de l'eau courante en cas de coupure d'eau.

waterway

nom masculin (rivière)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La Seine est le cours d'eau qui traverse Paris.
The Seine is the waterway which runs through Paris.

watercress

nom masculin (plante comestible)

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

hydrologic cycle

nom masculin (cycle chimique de l'eau)

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

a lot of water has passed under the bridge

(le temps a passé)

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

water fountain

nom masculin (fontaine d'eau fraîche)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a de plus en plus de distributeurs d'eau dans les entreprises.

water distribution, water supply

nom féminin (approvisionnement en eau)

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

water hardness

nom féminin (indicateur de minéralisation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La dureté de l'eau mesure sa teneur en calcaire.

holy water

nom féminin (eau du baptême) (for baptism)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau baptismale est une eau bénie pour les baptêmes.

holy water

nom féminin (catholicisme : eau consacrée)

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

diethyl ether

nom féminin (éther diéthylique)

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

boiling water

nom féminin (eau qui bout)

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

lime water, hard water

nom féminin (eau dure, riche en carbonate de calcium)

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

waste water

nom féminin (eau usée, eau polluée)

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

clean water

nom féminin (eau limpide)

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

running water

nom féminin (eau distribuée au robinet)

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

stagnant water

nom féminin (eau stagnante nauséabonde)

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

limewater

nom féminin (chaux diluée) (chemical compound)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau de chaux s'appelle blanc horticole pour les jardiniers.

cologne, eau de Cologne

nom féminin (eau de toilette)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Mon père a mis un peu d'eau de Cologne avant de sortir.

bleach

nom féminin (puissant bactéricide)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La femme de ménage nettoie le sol à l'eau de javel.

water of life, elixir of life

nom féminin (eau de rajeunissement, d'immortalité)

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

waste water

nom féminin (eau sale résultat d'un lavage)

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

waste water

nom féminin (eau sale résultant d'une lessive)

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

seawater

nom féminin (eau salée issue de la mer)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau de mer a une meilleure portance que l'eau douce.

rainwater

nom féminin (eau issue de la pluie)

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

rice water

nom féminin (eau de cuisson du riz)

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

rose water

nom féminin (eau issue de distillation de roses)

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

Seltzer, Seltzer water

nom propre féminin (eau pure gazeuse)

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

spring water

nom féminin (eau non traitée issue d'une source)

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

eau de toilette, toilet water

nom féminin (parfum)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
J'ai trouvé une nouvelle eau de toilette pour l'anniversaire de ma femme.

demineralized water

nom féminin (eau dépourvue de minéraux)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On utilise l'eau déminéralisée dans les fers à vapeur notamment.

distilled water

nom féminin (eau déminéralisée)

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

still waters

nom féminin (eau calme)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Il faut se méfier de l'eau dormante.

freshwater

nom féminin (eau non salée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau des rivières est de l'eau douce.
River water is freshwater.

tap water

nom féminin (eau traitée distribuée au robinet)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau du robinet est souvent impropre à la consommation en Bretagne.

hard water

nom féminin (eau très calcaire)

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

bottled water

nom féminin (eau de bouteille)

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

bottled water

nom féminin (eau de source ou minérale)

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

simmering water

nom féminin (eau en légère ébullition)

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

cold water

nom féminin (eau non chauffée)

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

sparkling water, fizzy water, carbonated water

nom féminin (eau contenant des bulles de gaz)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Mon frère commande toujours de l'eau gazeuse au restaurant.

iodized water

nom féminin (eau contenant de l'iodure) (chemistry)

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

run-off, water run-off

nom féminin (eau de ruissellement) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les drains permettent de capter l'eau libre du sol.

open water

nom féminin (étendue naturelle) (lakes, sea, etc.)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il pratique la nage en eau libre.

adsorbed water

nom féminin (Science (eau adsorbée, en contact moléculaire) (Chemistry)

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

heavy water

nom féminin (oxyde de deutérium)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau lourde est utilisée dans les processus de refroidissement nucléaires.

mother liquor

nom féminin (eau résiduelle) (chemistry)

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

mineral water

nom féminin (eau de source à composition constante)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le serveur essaie toujours de vendre de l'eau minérale.

non-drinkable water

nom féminin (eau impropre à la consommation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette fontaine est décorative, elle utilise une eau non potable.

hydrogen peroxide

nom féminin (peroxyde d'hydrogène)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'eau oxygénée est souvent utilisée pour blanchir le linge.

scented water

nom féminin (eau de toilette)

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

sparkling water

nom féminin (eau gazeuse ou gazéifiée)

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

still water

nom féminin (eau non gazeuse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Jules préfère l'eau plate à l'eau gazeuse.
Jules prefers still water to sparkling.

rainwater

nom féminin (eau de pluie)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Je récupère l'eau pluviale dans une réserve pour arroser mon jardin.

drinking water

nom féminin (eau qu'on peut boire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette fontaine ne procure pas d'eau potable.
This fountain does not dispense drinking water.

Eau Précieuse

nom propre féminin (® (lotion de beauté) (lotion: ®)

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

aqua regia

nom féminin (mélange d’acides nitrique et sulfurique) (alchemy: Latin)

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

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