gant de toilette
/ɡɑ̃ də twa.lɛt/
The English word 'washcloth' is gant de toilette in French.
A gant de toilette is a cloth used to wash. You can also use the term éponge de toilette, which literally translates to 'toilet sponge'.
Meaning: cloth used to wash (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term gant de toilette literally translates to 'washing glove' because the cloth is shaped like a glove to fit over the hand.
Which one should you use?
While a gant de toilette is a small washcloth, a serviette de toilette refers to a larger bath towel. You may also encounter éponge de toilette as an alternative name.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In French-speaking Canada, la débarbouillette is the most commonly used informal term.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make gant de toilette plural to say 'washcloths', add an 's' to the word gant to get gants de toilette.
Did you know?
- While a gant de toilette is a small cloth, the term toilette refers to the entire process of grooming or getting ready, not just the bathroom.
- The word toilette is derived from toile, meaning 'cloth', with the diminutive suffix -ette added to it.
- The Canadian term débarbouillette is built from the verb débarbouiller, which specifically means to scrub away dirt or grime from one's face.
Examples in context
- Je vais prendre un gant de toilette pour me laver le visage.I will take a washcloth to wash my face.
- Je cherche mon gant de toilette.I am looking for my washcloth.
- Il faut laver le gant de toilette.The washcloth needs to be washed.
- Peux-tu me donner un gant de toilette ?Can you give me a washcloth?
Example conversation
In the bathroom while getting ready for a shower.
- NathanManon, où est mon gant de toilette ?Manon, where is my washcloth?
- ManonIl est sur l'étagère, Nathan.It is on the shelf, Nathan.
- NathanMerci, il est tout propre.Thanks, it is very clean.
- ManonDe rien, dépêche-toi !You're welcome, hurry up!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gant de toilette, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, gant, toilette, CC BY-SA 4.0.
