degré
/də.ɡʁe/
In French, the word for 'degree' depends on whether you mean a level of intensity or an academic qualification. The default form is degré.
The term degré is used to describe a level, extent or intensity, such as a degree of difficulty or a degree of uncertainty. It does not refer to a qualification earned at a school.
Meaning: academic award (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use degré when referring to a level or extent. If you are referring to an academic qualification or an award, you should use terms like diplôme, grade universitaire or titre universitaire.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun degré is masculine and is used with the indefinite article un (un degré).
How do you pronounce it?
/də.ɡʁe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use degré to mean an academic award. Instead, use diplôme to refer to a qualification.
Did you know?
- The prefix de- was added to the Latin gradus when forming the Old French word degré, likely to prevent it from being confused with the word gré meaning 'will' or 'pleasure'.
- Because degré refers to a step or level, it is used in French to describe 'first-degree' burns brûlure au premier degré and other medical classifications of severity.
- While diplôme is the common word for a 'degree', the French educational system uses the term grade to describe the actual level of the qualification, such as the grade de master.
Examples in context
- Ce travail exige un haut degré de compétence.This work calls for a high degree of skill.This sentence shows how to use degré to describe a level of skill.Tatoeba #1919146 by nimfeo, translation #59135 by CM
- Toutes les prévisions comportent un certain degré d'incertitude.All forecasts have a certain degree of uncertainty.This sentence demonstrates using degré to express a level of uncertainty.Tatoeba #8977150 by lbdx, translation #3804551 by Hybrid
- Comment nomme-t-on la forme des adjectifs et des adverbes, qui expriment un degré supérieur ou le degré le plus élevé ?What do we call the form of adjectives and adverbs that expresses a very high degree or the highest degree?This sentence uses degré in the context of grammatical intensity for adjectives and adverbs.Tatoeba #5242155 by nimfeo, translation #9440841 by Nylez
- Il a obtenu un diplôme en commerce.He obtained a degree in business.
- Le professeur possède plusieurs titres universitaires prestigieux.The professor has several prestigious degrees.
- J'ai obtenu mon bac l'année dernièreI got my high school diploma last year.
- Il fait des études d'ingénieurHe is studying engineering.
- Elle a obtenu un diplôme en littérature.She obtained a degree in literature.
- J'ai enfin décroché mon diplôme !I finally got my degree!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are talking about their university studies.
- GabrielEst-ce que tu as déjà ton degré universitaire ?Do you already have your university degree?
- ManonOui, j'ai obtenu mon degré l'année dernière.Yes, I got my degree last year.
- GabrielC'est super, Manon ! Félicitations !That's great, Manon! Congratulations!
- ManonMerci, Gabriel, c'était beaucoup de travail.Thank you, Gabriel, it was a lot of work.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry degré, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries degré, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
