argile

clay

noun ar-ZHEEL Rare

Origin: From Latin 'argilla' (white clay)

Usage Note

Argile is the general word for clay — the raw material used in pottery (poterie), ceramics, and construction. In tennis, un court en terre battue (a clay court) is technically packed red clay; argile itself refers to the raw mineral. Argileux/argileuse is the adjective (clayey soil).

Examples

"Le potier façonnait un vase en argile."

Natural Translation

The potter was shaping a clay vase.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French Liaison Rules: When to Link Words (and Not To)

French liaison links a silent final consonant to the next vowel. Learn the obligatory, forbidden, and optional rules, plus the s→z and d→t sound shifts.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Sorry in French: Désolé vs Pardon vs Excusez-moi

Use désolé for genuine regret, pardon to bump or squeeze past, and excusez-moi to get attention. A situation-by-situation guide to saying sorry in French.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Aller + Infinitive: The Easy French Future

Form the French near future in seconds: conjugate aller in the present and add an infinitive. Learn futur proche rules, negation, pronouns, and when to use it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French False Friends: 25 Faux Amis to Avoid

French false friends look like English words but mean something else: actuellement is not actually, sensible means sensitive. Here are 25 faux amis to avoid.

June 3, 2026 5 min read