minuteur
/mi.ny.tœʁ/masculine
The English word 'timer' is translated into French as minuteur.
Meaning: device (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of minute (minute) and the suffix -eur (used to form nouns denoting an agent or device), literally meaning a device that measures minutes.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between a countdown timer and a stopwatch. minuteur is used for a countdown timer where you set a specific time to elapse, whereas chronomètre refers to a stopwatch used for measuring how much time has passed from a starting point.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In France, minuteur is the most commonly used term for a timer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine, so it is used with the definite article le or the indefinite article un.
How do you pronounce it?
/mi.ny.tœʁ/. The word has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French culinary culture, the term à la minute describes a dish prepared and served immediately, rather than using a minuteur for slow cooking.
- The root of minuteur comes from the Latin verb minuō, which actually meant 'to diminish' or 'to make smaller'.
- While minuteur refers to the device, the French use the verb minuter to describe the act of timing something specifically to the minute.
Examples in context
- Chaque fois que je fais cuire des spaghettis, je règle un minuteur.Whenever I cook spaghetti noodles, I set an egg timer.This sentence shows how to use minuteur when referring to setting a device for cooking.Tatoeba #9481262 by Micsmithel, translation #1898009 by CK
- N'oubliez pas de régler le minuteur de cuisson.Don't forget to set the cooking timer.
- Utilisez le chronomètre pour gérer votre temps de présentation.Use the timer to manage your presentation time.
- Je vais régler la minuterie pour ne pas oublier le gâteau au four.I'll set the timer to not forget the cake in the oven.
- Où est le minuteur de cuisine ?Where is the kitchen timer?
- Le minuteur affiche dix minutes.The timer shows ten minutes.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are in the kitchen preparing a meal.
- LucasPeux-tu régler le minuteur, Chloé ?Can you set the timer, Chloé?
- ChloéOui, je règle le minuteur pour cinq minutes.Yes, I am setting the timer for five minutes.
- LucasMerci, c'est parfait.Thanks, that's perfect.
- ChloéDe rien, Lucas.You're welcome, Lucas.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “timer” translations and entries minuteur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minuteur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
