ravissant
/ʁa.vi.sɑ̃/
The English phrase 'ravishing' is translated into French as ravissant.
Ravissant is used to describe someone's appearance or an object, emphasizing its attractiveness. It is a more intense and elegant way to say something is delightful to look at compared to the common word beau/belle (beautiful).
Meaning: Extremely beautiful (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective is derived from the verb ravir, which means to delight or to snatch away.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is ravissant. You can create other forms as follows:
* The feminine singular form is ravissante, created by adding an 'e' to the end of the masculine form. * The masculine plural form is ravissants, created by adding an 's' to the end of the masculine singular form. * The feminine plural form is ravissantes, created by adding 'es' to the end of the feminine singular form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁa.vi.sɑ̃/
Did you know?
- The verb ravir from which ravissant is derived can also mean 'to kidnap' or 'to steal'. This creates a linguistic link between being struck by beauty and being physically carried away.
- While ravissant is an elegant compliment, using it to describe a man in modern casual conversation can sometimes sound overly formal or slightly feminine.
- In older French literature, ravissant was often used to describe a spiritual or divine ecstasy that 'seized' the soul, rather than just a pretty face.
Examples in context
- Elle avait l'air ravissante.She looked ravishing.Tatoeba #2329261 by sacredceltic, translation #2327532 by Hybrid
- Tu es ravissante dans cette robe.You look ravishing in that dress.Tatoeba #11723169 by lbdx, translation #6216617 by Hybrid
- Elle était vêtue d'une robe éblouissante.She was dressed in a ravishing dress.
- Le paysage était vraiment ravissant ce matin.The landscape was truly ravishing this morning.
- T'as vu cette nouvelle actrice ? Elle est vraiment canon !Did you see that new actress? She's really ravishing!
- Ton nouveau look est vraiment épatant !Your new look is truly ravishing!
- Le paysage est ravissant ce matin.The landscape is ravishing this morning.
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are walking through a botanical garden.
- NathanRegarde ces fleurs, elles sont ravissantes.Look at these flowers, they are ravishing.
- EmmaOui, c'est vraiment un endroit magnifique.Yes, it is truly a magnificent place.
- NathanTu es aussi ravissante que ce jardin aujourd'hui, Emma.You are as ravishing as this garden today, Emma.
- EmmaMerci Nathan, c'est très gentil.Thank you Nathan, that is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ravishing” translations and entries ravissant, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
