flippant
/fli.pɑ̃/
The English phrase "creepy" is translated into French as flippant.
flippant is used to describe something that causes discomfort or repulsion. While the English word "flippant" means being disrespectful or shallow, the French word flippant means creepy or frightening. You can use inquiétant, which translates to disturbing or concerning and can carry an eerie undertone. If you want to use slang to describe something as weird, shady or creepy, use glauque.
Meaning: causing discomfort or repulsion (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective flippant changes to flippante to agree with a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /fli.pɑ̃/ and has 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
To express that something is so creepy that it gives you goosebumps, you can use the expression donne la chair de poule, which literally translates to "gives goosebumps".
Did you know?
- While flippant is common, the word glauque originally described the shimmering, grey-green color of seawater. Over time, it evolved to describe the depressing or 'creepy' atmosphere of damp, dim places.
- In French, the adjective louche comes from the word for 'squinting'. It describes a 'creepy' person based on the visual idea of someone looking at you from the corner of their eye.
- In French, the verb flipper is used to describe the act of panicking, which is the internal reaction to something flippant.
Examples in context
- C'est un peu flippant.It's kind of creepy.This sentence is useful for saying something is kind of creepy using flippant.Tatoeba #9451739 by Micsmithel, translation #1777416 by Spamster
- C'est flippant.That's creepy.Tatoeba #10064394 by Micsmithel, translation #1484760 by Spamster
- Cela devient flippant.This is getting creepy.This sentence is useful for saying something is getting creepy using flippant.Tatoeba #9763121 by Micsmithel, translation #2892195 by CK
- Le comportement de cette personne est inquiétant.This person's behavior is unsettling.
- Cet endroit est vraiment malaisant.This place is really creepy.
- Ce film d'horreur est vraiment effrayant.This horror movie is really creepy.
- Cette histoire est vraiment glauque.This story is really creepy.
- Ce film d'épouvante me donne vraiment la chair de poule.This horror film really gives me the creeps.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Hugo are walking through a dark forest at night.
- ChloéCe vieux manoir est vraiment flippant.This old mansion is really creepy.
- HugoTu as raison, l'ambiance est flippante.You're right, the atmosphere is creepy.
- ChloéRegarde cet homme, il est flippant.Look at that man, he is creepy.
- HugoOn devrait partir, c'est trop flippant.We should leave, it's too creepy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry flippant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
