ascenseur

elevator, lift

noun as-ahn-SUHR Less Common

Origin: Latin ascensor (one who ascends)

Usage Note

Ascenseur is the standard French word for a lift (British) or elevator (American). The phrase renvoyer l'ascenseur ('to send the elevator back up') is a very common idiom meaning to return a favour. A monte-charge is a service/goods lift. Ascenseur social refers metaphorically to social mobility.

Examples

"L'ascenseur est en panne, prenez les escaliers."

Natural Translation

The elevator is broken, take the stairs.

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