orgelet
/ɔʁ.ʒə.lɛ/masculine
The English word "stye" is translated into French as orgelet. Wiktionary also lists compère loriot.
Meaning: bacterial infection of the eyelash or eyelid (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| orgelet | /ɔʁ.ʒə.lɛ/ | masculine |
| compère loriot | masculine |
In French, the term refers to a bacterial infection of the eyelid or eyelash.
Which one should you use?
orgelet is the standard medical term for a stye. chalazion is a specific term used for a meibomian cyst or a persistent form of a stye.
How does it change in a sentence?
orgelet is a masculine noun. For example, you would say un orgelet to mean "a stye".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of orgelet is /ɔʁ.ʒə.lɛ/. It has three syllables.
Did you know?
- The common phrase compère loriot used to describe a stye is quite unusual. While it is a recognized term, it translates literally to 'godfather loriot', referring to a type of bird.
- The word orgelet is a diminutive of the Middle French word orgeoul. This connects the physical appearance of the swelling to a tiny grain of barley.
Examples in context
- J'ai un orgelet sur la paupière droite.I have a stye on my right eyelid.
- Mon orgelet me fait mal.My stye is painful.
- Je pense que mon chalazion est de retour.I think my chalazion has come back.
- J'ai un petit orgelet sur l'œil.I have a small stye on my eye.
- Cet orgelet est très douloureux.This stye is very painful.
Example conversation
Gabriel is showing his eye to Emma.
- GabrielRegarde, je crois que j'ai un orgelet.Look, I think I have a stye.
- EmmaOui, ton eyelid est tout rouge, Gabriel.Yes, your eyelid is all red, Gabriel.
- GabrielQu'est-ce que je dois faire pour ça ?What should I do for it?
- EmmaTu devrais mettre une compresse chaude.You should use a warm compress.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stye” translations and entries orgelet, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compère, loriot, orgelet, CC BY-SA 4.0.
