macabre
/ma.kabʁ/
The English phrase "macabre" can be translated into French as macabre. Wiktionary also lists thanatophile.
Meaning: obsessed with death (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| macabre | /ma.kabʁ/ |
| thanatophile |
In French, macabre is an adjective used to describe something that is obsessed with death.
Which one should you use?
While macabre is an adjective describing a quality or scene, thanatophile is a noun used to describe a person who is specifically obsessed with death.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective macabre takes an 's' in the plural form to agree with a plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ma.kabʁ/ and consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word macabre is thought to trace its roots back to the name Macabé, referring to the Maccabees, a group of Jewish-descended warriors from antiquity.
- The term originates from the danse macabre, a late medieval allegory where figures from all walks of life are led to the grave by personified Death.
- The phrase Danse Macabre became so influential that it inspired a famous symphonic poem by the composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
Examples in context
- La pile de corps sous le pont était un spectacle si macabre.The pile of bodies under the bridge was such a macabre sight.This sentence illustrates the use of macabre to describe a sight.Tatoeba #8422038 by lbdx, translation #4028919 by Lepotdeterre
- Il aime se livrer à des activités macabres comme la dissection de cadavres d'animaux, ou traquer des personnes dans la rue la nuit.He enjoys engaging in macabre activities such as dissecting animal corpses and stalking people on the street at night.This sentence shows how macabre describes activities.Tatoeba #4028975 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #4028931 by Lepotdeterre
- Cette photo macabre a fait le tour du monde.This macabre photo has travelled around the world.This sentence shows how macabre can be used to describe a photo.Tatoeba #10700776 by samir_t, translation #13807253 by tieguy
- Le film a une atmosphère morose et macabre, reflétant les sombres aspects de la vie.The film has a gloomy and macabre atmosphere, reflecting the dark aspects of life.
- Le manoir abandonné dégageait une atmosphère sinistre et macabre.The abandoned manor gave off a sinister and macabre atmosphere.
- L'artiste a créé une peinture sombre et macabre représentant son angoisse intérieure.The artist created a dark and macabre painting representing his inner anguish.
- Le livre que j'ai lu hier soir était vraiment glauque et macabre, j'ai eu des frissons.The book I read last night was really eerie and macabre, I had chills.
- Ce film est vraiment crade et macabre, il m'a donné la chair de poule.This film is really filthy and macabre, it gave me goosebumps.
- Ce roman gothique est rempli d'images sinistres et macabres qui glacent le sang des lecteurs.This gothic novel is filled with sinister and macabre images that freeze the blood of readers.
- Le film d'horreur a réussi à créer une atmosphère morose et macabre à travers des décors sombres et lugubres.The horror film succeeded in creating a gloomy and macabre atmosphere through dark and lugubrious settings.
- Le musée abrite une collection d'œuvres d'art glauques et macabres qui fascinent et étonnent les visiteurs.The museum houses a collection of eerie and macabre works of art that fascinate and astonish visitors.
- La vieille maison abandonnée était parsemée de souvenirs crades et macabres, témoins du passé sombre de cet endroit.The old abandoned house was littered with filthy and macabre memories, witnesses to the dark past of this place.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a dark horror film they just watched.
- NathanTu trouves ce film trop macabre ?Do you find this film too macabre?
- ChloéOui, l'histoire est vraiment macabre.Yes, the story is truly macabre.
- NathanJe n'aime pas quand c'est aussi macabre.I don't like it when it is so macabre.
- ChloéMoi non plus, c'est trop intense.Me neither, it is too intense.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “macabre” translations and entries macabre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries macabre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
