French Loanwords

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Identify English words borrowed from French and their meanings

1.
The English word 'restaurant' comes from French. What did the original French word mean?
A
A cooking place
B
A restoring food or drink
C
A gathering hall
D
A place to sit
2.
Which of these English words is borrowed from French?
A
Kindergarten
B
Ballet
C
Angst
D
Wanderlust
3.
The word 'entrepreneur' comes from French. What does it literally mean?
A
One who undertakes
B
Money maker
C
Business owner
D
Risk taker
4.
What does the French loanword 'cul-de-sac' literally translate to?
A
Closed street
B
Circle road
C
Dead end
D
Bottom of the bag
5.
Which cooking term borrowed from French means 'to fry lightly in butter or oil'?
A
Saute
B
Braise
C
Flambe
D
Blanch
6.
The French loanword 'RSVP' stands for 'Repondez s'il vous plait.' What does it mean?
A
Please come early
B
Reserve your seat
C
Reply if you please
D
Return this card
7.
Which of these fashion terms comes from French?
A
Sari
B
Boutique
C
Kimono
D
Lederhosen
8.
What does the French loanword 'faux pas' mean?
A
A wrong turn
B
A false step or social blunder
C
A fake passport
D
A fashion mistake
9.
The word 'souvenir' is borrowed from French. What does it literally mean?
A
A gift
B
To remember
C
To collect
D
A treasure
10.
Which of these words for a type of artistic display comes from French?
A
Montage
B
Gallery
C
Studio
D
Both A and B
11.
What does the French loanword 'debut' mean?
A
A celebration
B
A competition
C
A first public appearance
D
An ending
12.
The word 'chauffeur' comes from French. What did it originally mean?
A
Driver
B
Coachman
C
Servant
D
Stoker or one who heats
13.
Which dessert term is a French loanword meaning 'a small, delicate cake'?
A
Brownie
B
Cookie
C
Petit four
D
Muffin
14.
What does the French loanword 'cliche' refer to?
A
A French greeting
B
An overused phrase or idea
C
A type of accent
D
A photograph
15.
The word 'silhouette' comes from French. It is named after what?
A
A shadow puppet show
B
A painting technique
C
A type of fabric
D
A French finance minister, Etienne de Silhouette

Answer Key

Question 1

B. A restoring food or drink

Question 2

B. Ballet

Question 3

A. One who undertakes

Question 4

D. Bottom of the bag

Question 5

A. Saute

Question 6

C. Reply if you please

Question 7

B. Boutique

Question 8

B. A false step or social blunder

Question 9

B. To remember

Question 10

D. Both A and B

Question 11

C. A first public appearance

Question 12

D. Stoker or one who heats

Question 13

C. Petit four

Question 14

B. An overused phrase or idea

Question 15

D. A French finance minister, Etienne de Silhouette

Find more free puzzles and brain games at www.SeniorBrainGames.org