licorne
/li.kɔʁn/feminine
The English phrase 'unicorn' is translated into French as licorne.
licorne is a feminine noun used to describe a mythical horselike creature.
Meaning: mythical horselike creature (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because licorne is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine indefinite article une or the feminine definite article la when referring to it.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /li.kɔʁn/.
Did you know?
- The word licorne actually comes from a historical spelling mistake. Medieval speakers misheard the phrase une icorne as a single word, which transformed the article into the beginning of the noun.
- The horn of a licorne is called an alicorne. In history, this word was also used to sell narwhal tusks to royalty as genuine unicorn horns.
- Medieval French tapestries, such as 'The Lady and the Unicorn', often depict the licorne not as a horse, but as a creature with a goat's beard and cloven hooves.
Examples in context
- Tu es une licorne.You're a unicorn.Tatoeba #4585426 by dadidas, translation #4576678 by DarkHollow
- La licorne est un monstre fabuleux.The unicorn is a fabulous monster.Tatoeba #540180 by sacredceltic, translation #540060 by Manfredo
- Manu veut être une licorne pour que les filles le montent.Manny wants to be a unicorn so girls will ride him.Tatoeba #831647 by sacredceltic, translation #831639 by papabear
- Mon amie m'a offert un mug avec une adorable licorne dessus.My friend gave me a mug with an adorable unicorn on it.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two children are looking at a picture book in a library.
- ManonRegarde, il y a une licorne dans ce livre !Look, there is a unicorn in this book!
- LucasElle est magnifique, cette licorne.That unicorn is magnificent.
- ManonEst-ce que la licorne est blanche ?Is the unicorn white?
- LucasOui, elle est très blanche.Yes, she is very white.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unicorn” translations and entries licorne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries licorne, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
