orage
/ɔ.ʁaʒ/masculine
The French word for thunderstorm is orage.
orage is a masculine noun used to describe a storm that specifically involves thunder and lightning.
Meaning: storm with thunder and lightning (noun)
Which one should you use?
While orage refers specifically to a thunderstorm, the word tempête refers to a general storm or tempest, which often involves high winds.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe weather that is stormy or related to a thunderstorm, you can use the adjective orageux.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /ɔ.ʁaʒ/.
Did you know?
- While an orage is a thunderstorm, a coup de foudre is the specific term for a lightning strike, but it is also the common idiom for 'love at first sight'.
- The word orage shares an unexpected ancestor with the English word 'aura', as both trace back to the Latin 'aura' meaning 'breeze' or 'wind'.
- In French, the word orage can also be used figuratively to describe a sudden, violent outburst of temper or a heated argument between people.
Examples in context
- Combien de temps l'orage va-t-il encore durer ?How much longer will the thunderstorm last?This sentence is useful for asking about the duration of an orage.Tatoeba #431349 by qdii, translation #1723118 by belgavox
- Ils se sont enfuis à cause de l'orage.They fleed because of the thunderstorm.This sentence is useful for explaining that people fled because of an orage.Tatoeba #13974490 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13974486 by Ioan_Cristian
- La plage est fermée à cause de l'orage.The beach is closed because of the thunderstorm.This sentence is useful for explaining why a beach is closed due to an orage.Tatoeba #13856217 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13856216 by Ioan_Cristian
- Durant l'été, les orages sont fréquents en France.During the summer, thunderstorms are frequent in France.
- Le tonnerre était vraiment effrayant pendant cet orage.The thunder was really scary during that thunderstorm.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are looking out the window at the dark sky.
- EmmaRegarde le ciel, il y a un orage.Look at the sky, there is a thunderstorm.
- LucasOui, l'orage semble très fort.Yes, the thunderstorm seems very strong.
- EmmaLucas, rentre vite à la maison !Lucas, come inside the house quickly!
- LucasJ'arrive, j'ai peur de l'orage.I'm coming, I am afraid of the thunderstorm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thunderstorm” translations and entries orage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries orage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
