Vœu (en. Wish)
/vø/
Meaning & Definition
EnglishFrench
noun
A formal wish, often expressed on a special occasion.
He made a vow to thrive in his career.
Il a fait le vœu de prospérer dans sa carrière.
Commitment or promise, particularly in a religious context.
Monks often take vows of poverty.
Les moines prennent souvent des vœux de pauvreté.
A fervent desire for something.
His dearest wish was to write a book.
Son vœu le plus cher était d'écrire un livre.
Etymology
From Latin 'votum', meaning 'wish, promise'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
make a wish
To express a wish or desire.
faire un vœu
vow of silence
Commitment to not speak.
vœu de silence
marriage vows
Promises exchanged during a wedding ceremony.
vœux de mariage
Related Words
wishes
Plural of wish, formal wishes.
vœux
voter
A person who makes a wish or votes.
votant
votum
The Latin equivalent of wish.
votum
Slang Meanings
Informally desired.
I have a wish, as if it were a dream.
J'ai un vœu, comme si c'était un rêve.
Wish expressed in a light situation.
We made a wish by tossing a coin into the fountain.
On a fait un vœu en lançant une pièce dans la fontaine.