sèche-linge
/sɛʃ.lɛ̃ʒ/masculine
The English word "dryer" (meaning a household appliance for drying clothing) is translated into French as sèche-linge. Wiktionary also lists sécheuse.
Meaning: household appliance for drying clothing (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sèche-linge | /sɛʃ.lɛ̃ʒ/ | masculine |
| sécheuse | /se.ʃøz/ | feminine |
Both sèche-linge and sécheuse are used to refer to the machine used for drying clothes.
Which one should you use?
sèche-linge is the standard term used in France to refer specifically to a tumble dryer, whereas sécheuse is the common term used in Quebec and other parts of Canada.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec and other parts of Canada, sécheuse is common. In Canada, the term séchoir might be more commonly used than sèche-linge.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun sèche-linge is invariable in its plural form. It remains sèche-linge.
How do you pronounce it?
sèche-linge is pronounced /sɛʃ.lɛ̃ʒ/ and has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word sécheuse is a classic example of a 'calque', where Quebec French adapted the structure of the English word 'dryer' using the French root sécher.
- In some rural parts of France, you may hear séchoir used for a simple drying rack, which can lead to confusion with the Canadian use of the word for a machine.
- The word linge in sèche-linge comes from the Latin 'linum', the same root used for the English word 'linen'.
Examples in context
- Nous n'avons pas de sèche-linge.We don't have a tumble dryer.This sentence is useful for expressing the absence of a tumble dryer using sèche-linge.Tatoeba #718782 by nimfeo, translation #718777 by sundown
- Je mets mes vêtements dans la sécheuse.I put my clothes in the dryer.This sentence is useful for describing the action of putting clothes into a dryer using sécheuse.Tatoeba #2390674 by sacredceltic, translation #2389906 by CK
- Cette chemise te seyait vraiment bien mais je pense qu'elle a rétréci dans le sèche-linge.That shirt used to look really nice on you, but I think it shrank in the dryer.This sentence is useful for describing clothes shrinking in a dryer using sèche-linge.Tatoeba #3570851 by sacredceltic, translation #3564304 by _undertoad
- Je vais mettre le linge dans le sèche-linge.I'm going to put the laundry in the dryer.
- Le séchoir est très pratique pour sécher rapidement les vêtements.The dryer is very convenient for quickly drying clothes.
- Le sèche-cheveux est en panne, utilisons le sèche-linge pour sécher les vêtements.The hairdryer is broken, let's use the dryer to dry the clothes.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Hugo are doing laundry together.
- EmmaLe sèche-linge est déjà plein, Hugo.The dryer is already full, Hugo.
- HugoAh, je vais vider le sèche-linge alors.Ah, I will empty the dryer then.
- EmmaMerci, je vais lancer une autre machine.Thanks, I'm going to start another load.
- HugoD'accord, je m'occupe du linge maintenant.Okay, I'll take care of the laundry now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dryer” translations and entries sèche-linge, sécheuse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
