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global

global, overall

adjective gloh-BAL Rare

Also means

worldwide

Usage Note

Global (feminine globale, plural globaux) most commonly means 'overall' or 'total' in French — une vision globale is a big-picture view, un coût global is the total cost. The 'worldwide' sense (as in English 'global warming') is also well established: le réchauffement global. Beware: global is a false friend; it does not always mean 'international'.

Examples

"Il faut une approche globale du problème."

Natural Translation

A global approach to the problem is needed.

Literal Translation

An overall approach to the problem is needed.

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