entrouvrir

to half-open, to open slightly

verb ahn-troo-VREER Rare

Origin: From entre- (between, partially) + ouvrir (to open).

Usage Note

Entrouvrir is used for doors, eyes, or mouths opened just a crack — la porte entrouverte is a stock phrase for a door left ajar. It conjugates like ouvrir (an irregular verb): j'entrouvre, il entrouvre. The past participle entrouvert is frequently used as an adjective.

Examples

"Elle a entrouvert la fenêtre pour aérer."

Natural Translation

She half-opened the window to air the room.

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