taupe
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taupe is the French word for the English color name taupe.
The word is used as a noun to describe a dark brownish-gray colour.
Meaning: a dark brownish-gray colour (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The name of the colour is derived from the French word for the animal mole.
How do you pronounce it?
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Did you know?
- While taupe describes a specific color in English, in French the word is primarily used to name the animal. An English speaker calling a wall taupe in France might be jokingly asked why they are painting their house the color of a garden pest.
- In a figurative sense, a taupe is a spy or a double agent who has infiltrated an organization, similar to the English use of 'mole'.
- In French fashion and interior design, taupe is often grouped with grège, a portmanteau of gris and beige. This creates a spectrum of neutral 'greige' tones that are culturally distinct from simple gray or brown.
Examples in context
- Quelle jolie taupe tu as choisie pour tes rideaux!What a lovely taupe you've chosen for your curtains!
- J'aime beaucoup ce rideau taupe.I really like this taupe curtain.
- Elle a choisi un canapé taupe.She chose a taupe sofa.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are choosing a color for their living room walls.
- EmmaTu préfères le gris ou le taupe ?Do you prefer gray or taupe?
- NathanJe pense que le taupe est plus chaleureux.I think taupe is warmer.
- EmmaC'est vrai, Nathan, c'est très élégant.That's true, Nathan, it is very elegant.
- NathanAlors, on choisit le taupe !So, let's choose taupe!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry taupe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
