appât
/a.pa/masculine
The English word "bait" is translated into French as appât.
appât is a common and widely used term meaning the substance used to catch animals. The phrase mordre à l'appât is used figuratively to mean someone has fallen for a trick or a provocation, just like in English.
Meaning: substance used in catching animals (noun)
Which one should you use?
While appât refers to general bait, the word leurre specifically refers to artificial lures used for fishing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
appât is a masculine noun. The plural form of 'appât' is 'appâts', formed by adding an 's' to the end. The related verb appâter means to attract with bait.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /a.pa/.
Did you know?
- The verb appâter can be used in a social context to describe the act of flirting or teasing someone to get their attention.
- In a culinary context, if you describe a dish as appâtissant, you are not just saying it looks good, but that it is actively tempting or even seductive. It carries a sense of irresistible attraction beyond simple deliciousness.
- The French expression appât du gain specifically describes the lure of profit or the driving force of greed.
Examples in context
- Tom a pris l'appât.Tom took the bait.This sentence shows the use of the form appât in a simple past tense context.Tatoeba #5546164 by guyniv, translation #5546147 by bill
- Ne mords pas à l'appât.Don't take the bait.This sentence uses the form appât to give a command regarding not taking the bait.Tatoeba #1521143 by sacredceltic, translation #1520869 by Spamster
- Il n'a pas mordu à l'appât.He didn't take the bait.This sentence demonstrates the idiomatic use of the form appât in the negative past tense.Tatoeba #2505101 by sacredceltic, translation #5647144 by mailohilohi
- J'utilise souvent de l'appât vivant pour pêcher les poissons.I often use live bait to fish for fish.
- J'ai mis des appâts dans la trappe pour attraper les souris.I put bait in the trap to catch the mice.
- Nous appâtions les hameçons pour la pêche au brochet.We were baiting the hooks for pike fishing.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are preparing their fishing gear by a lake.
- EmmaQuel appât allons-nous utiliser aujourd'hui ?What bait are we going to use today?
- GabrielJe pense que les vers sont le meilleur appât.I think worms are the best bait.
- EmmaD'accord, Gabriel, prépare l'appât alors.Okay, Gabriel, prepare the bait then.
- GabrielC'est fait, on peut commencer à pêcher.It's done, we can start fishing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bait” translations and entries appât, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
