squelette
/skə.lɛt/masculine
The French word for skeleton is squelette.
The term refers to a system that provides support to an organism.
Meaning: system that provides support to an organism (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
squelette is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/skə.lɛt/
Did you know?
- While squelette describes the biological system, French speakers often use the word ossature when discussing the structural framework of a building.
- The concept of the squelette is central to the Danse Macabre, a medieval French allegory depicting Death leading people of all social classes to the grave.
- The French word squelette shares a common ancestor with the English word 'skeleton', but both trace back to a Greek word meaning 'dried up' or 'withered'.
Examples in context
- Il a l'air d'un squelette.He looks just like a skeleton.This sentence shows how to use squelette to describe someone's appearance.Tatoeba #131764 by Aiji, translation #294772 by CM
- Chaque famille a un squelette dans son placard.Every family has a skeleton in the closet.This sentence uses squelette in an idiomatic way similar to the English expression about a skeleton in the closet.Tatoeba #12917 by mouche, translation #37541 by CK
- Il est tellement maigre qu'il ressemble à un squelette.He's so thin that he looks like a skeleton.This sentence demonstrates using squelette to describe someone who is very thin.Tatoeba #1090279 by sacredceltic, translation #1090271 by CK
- Le squelette, composé de 206 os, est l'armature du corps humain.The skeleton, composed of 206 bones, is the framework of the human body.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are visiting a natural history museum.
- LucasRegarde ce squelette de dinosaure !Look at this dinosaur skeleton!
- ChloéIl est vraiment immense.It is truly huge.
- LucasLe squelette est très bien conservé.The skeleton is very well preserved.
- ChloéC'est impressionnant, Lucas.It's impressive, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skeleton” translations and entries squelette, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries squelette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
