timbre
/tɛ̃bʁ/
The French word for stamp is timbre.
timbre refers to a small piece of paper with a design on one side and an adhesive on the other, specifically a postage stamp.
Meaning: any small piece of paper bearing a design on one side and adhesive on the other (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use timbre specifically for a postage stamp. If you are referring to a rubber stamp or an official seal, the correct word is tampon.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
timbre is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɛ̃bʁ/
Did you know?
- The word timbre is a doublet of the French word tympan, meaning 'eardrum'.
- In French, the word timbre is also used to describe a 'timbre vocal', which refers to the unique quality or 'tone' of a person's voice.
- While timbre is for postage, a rubber stamp used for documents is a tampon, which is also the French word for 'cotton swab' or 'buffer'.
Examples in context
- Signez sur le timbre !Sign across the stamp.This sentence shows how to use timbre regarding a signature.Tatoeba #9539117 by sacredceltic, translation #272459 by CK
- Le timbre s'est décollé.The stamp came off.This sentence demonstrates a situation where a timbre might fall off.Tatoeba #4996140 by sacredceltic, translation #2268547 by _undertoad
- J'ai un très vieux timbre.I have a very old stamp.This sentence is useful for describing the age of a timbre.Tatoeba #1013087 by sacredceltic, translation #261415 by CK
- Où est-ce que je peux acheter des timbres fiscaux ?Where can I buy fiscal stamps?
- Je voudrais des timbres, s'il vous plaîtI would like some stamps, please
- Je vais mettre mon cachet sur ce documentI'm going to put my stamp on this document
- Je dois apposer un cachet sur ce document pour qu'il soit valide.I have to put a stamp on this document for it to be valid.
- J'ai besoin d'un timbre-poste pour envoyer cette carte.I need a postage stamp to send this card.
- Est-ce que vous avez des timbres pour envoyer une lettre à l'étranger?Do you have any stamps to send a letter abroad?
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is preparing a letter to mail at home.
- GabrielOù est le timbre pour ma lettre ?Where is the stamp for my letter?
- ChloéIl est dans le tiroir du bureau, Gabriel.It is in the desk drawer, Gabriel.
- GabrielJe ne vois aucun timbre ici.I don't see any stamps here.
- ChloéRegarde bien, je t'en ai acheté hier.Look closely, I bought some for you yesterday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stamp” translations and entries timbre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries timbre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
