crosse
/kʁɔs/feminine
The English phrase lacrosse is translated into French as crosse or lacrosse.
Meaning: sport (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| crosse | /kʁɔs/ | feminine |
| lacrosse | /la.kʁɔs/ | masculine |
Both terms refer to the sport of lacrosse.
Which one should you use?
crosse is a feminine noun, while lacrosse is a masculine noun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Québec, the term crosse is used interchangeably with lacrosse as an informal way to refer to the sport.
How do you pronounce it?
/kʁɔs/
When do people say it?
The phrase Le jeu de crosse amérindien is used to refer specifically to the Native American origins of the game.
Did you know?
- The term lacrosse is actually a combination of the feminine article la and the noun crosse. Over time, the article became permanently fused to the word.
- In some French contexts, crosse can be a slang term for a cheat or a crook. Using it in the wrong setting could lead to a misunderstanding about someone's character.
- In French, the term crosse is also the word used for a bishop's ceremonial staff, known as a 'crozier'.
Examples in context
- La fédération française de lacrosse organise un tournoi ce week-end.The French Lacrosse Federation is organizing a tournament this weekend.
- Tu as déjà joué au lax?Have you ever played lacrosse?
- Le jeu de crosse est un sport collectif où les joueurs utilisent un bâton pour lancer une balle dans le but adverse.Lacrosse is a team sport where players use a stick to throw a ball into the opposing goal.
- Le jeu de crosse amérindien est un héritage culturel qui a été transmis de génération en génération.Native American lacrosse is a cultural heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation.
- Elle joue à la crosse.She plays lacrosse.
- La crosse est un sport rapide.Lacrosse is a fast sport.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite sports.
- NathanQuel sport préfères-tu, Chloé ?Which sport do you prefer, Chloé?
- ChloéJ'adore la crosse !I love lacrosse!
- NathanC'est un sport très rapide.It is a very fast sport.
- ChloéOui, c'est pour ça que c'est génial.Yes, that's why it's great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lacrosse” translations and entries crosse, lacrosse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries crosse, lacrosse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
