tenue
/tə.ny/
The English word "attire" is translated into French as tenue.
tenue is used to refer to one's dress or clothes. You may often see it used in the descriptive phrase tenue vestimentaire to emphasize a person's style of dress or specific manner of dressing. Specific types of attire are often expressed through collocations, such as tenue de soirée for evening wear or formal attire and tenue de travail for professional attire or a work uniform.
Meaning: one's dress or clothes (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the common word vêtements refers to the physical items of clothing themselves, tenue refers more specifically to how those clothes are put together as a complete outfit or attire.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun tenue is feminine and is used in the singular to refer to a person's overall outfit or attire.
How do you pronounce it?
/tə.ny/
Did you know?
- French speakers use tenue to describe the 'hold' or grip of a car on the road, such as tenue de route.
- The word tenue comes from the verb tenir, meaning 'to hold'. In this context, it describes how a person 'holds' themselves together through their clothing.
- The word tenue can also refer to the way a book is kept or a record is maintained, as in tenue de livres.
Examples in context
- Il ne fait pas attention à sa tenue vestimentaire.He is careless about his attire.This sentence shows someone being careless about their tenue.Tatoeba #10266081 by lbdx, translation #10107902 by ddnktr
- Un T-shirt n'est pas une tenue appropriée pour un entretien d'embauche.A T-shirt is not appropriate attire for a job interview.This sentence explains that a T-shirt is not an appropriate tenue for a job interview.Tatoeba #10107176 by lbdx, translation #10107173 by ddnktr
- Quelle est la tenue requise pour l'événement ?What is the required attire for the event?
- Veuillez respecter le code d'habillement.Please adhere to the dress code.
- J'adore tes fringues !I love your clothes!
- Sa tenue est très élégante pour la soirée.Her attire is very elegant for the party.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are preparing for a wedding.
- ManonQuelle tenue vas-tu porter pour le mariage ?What attire are you going to wear for the wedding?
- HugoJe porterai un costume bleu marine.I will wear a navy blue suit.
- ManonC'est une excellente tenue pour l'occasion.It is an excellent attire for the occasion.
- HugoMerci, j'espère que je serai bien habillé.Thanks, I hope I will be well dressed.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tenue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
