Balai (en. Broom)

/ba.lɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

Utensil used to sweep the floor.

She used a broom to clean the kitchen.

Elle a utilisé un balai pour nettoyer la cuisine.

Set of branches or straw tied together, used in some areas for cleaning.

The straw broom is traditional in this country house.

Le balai de paille est traditionnel dans cette maison de campagne.

From old French 'balai', of uncertain origin, perhaps from Latin 'bāla' meaning 'straw'.

to sweep

To do the cleaning using a broom.

passer le balai

to sweep under the rug

To hide a problem instead of solving it.

balayer sous le tapis

sweeper

Person who sweeps.

balayeur

sweeping

Action of sweeping.

balayage

brush

Utensil used for cleaning, often used with a broom.

brosse

To clean up or tidy up.

He had to clean up before the guests arrived.

Il a dû faire son balai avant que les invités arrivent.

To get rid of something unpleasant.

After that argument, they had to sweep away the misunderstandings.

Après cette dispute, il a fallu balayer les malentendus.