lacrymogène

tear-producing

adjective lak-ree-moh-ZHEN Rare

Origin: from Latin lacrima, 'tear'

Usage Note

Lacrymogène is most frequently heard in the compound gaz lacrymogène ('tear gas') and grenades lacrymogènes ('tear-gas grenades'), standard vocabulary in news coverage of protests in France. The adjective is invariable in gender. The spelling with 'y' reflects the Latin root lacrima.

Examples

"La police a utilisé des grenades lacrymogènes."

Natural Translation

The police used tear-gas grenades.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Telling Time in French: Hours, Quarters, 24-Hour

Telling time in French means Il est cinq heures, et quart, et demie, and the 24-hour clock like quatorze heures trente. Read any French schedule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Numbers 70, 80, 90 Made Simple

French numbers 70, 80, 90 are soixante-dix, quatre-vingts, and quatre-vingt-dix. Learn three build formulas to make any number 70-99 on the fly.

June 3, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

How to Pronounce the French R (Step by Step)

The French R is a back-of-the-throat sound, not a rolled R. Learn the exact tongue position and a step-by-step drill to build it from sounds you already make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Greetings: Bonjour, Salut, Coucou Explained

Bonjour, salut, or coucou? Pick the right French greeting every time with a simple two-axis guide to formality and time of day, plus how to say goodbye.

June 4, 2026 5 min read