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côtoyer

rub shoulders with, be alongside

verb koh-twah-YEH Rare
People & Society Relationships

Usage Note

Côtoyer means to be in close contact with someone or something, often regularly — côtoyer des célébrités (rub shoulders with celebrities) or la route côtoie la rivière (the road runs alongside the river). It follows the -oyer spelling pattern where 'y' becomes 'i' before a silent 'e'.

Examples

"Il côtoie des artistes dans son travail."

Natural Translation

He mingles with artists in his work.

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