Francophone

American

[frang-kuh-fohn] / ˈfræŋ kəˌfoʊn /

adjective

Also Francophonic speaking French, especially as a member of a French-speaking population.

noun

a person who speaks French, especially a native speaker.

Francophone British

/ ˈfræŋkəʊˌfəʊn /

noun

a person who speaks French, esp a native speaker

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

speaking French as a native language
using French as a lingua franca

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Francophone

First recorded in 1895–1900; Franco- + -phone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Quebec is the only Canadian province that is primarily Francophone.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The rest of the cast includes a trio of great Francophone actors: Daniel Auteuil, Mathieu Amalric and Virginie Efira.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

The French-language debate is especially important for Francophone Canadians in Quebec, whose votes are influential in helping decide which party will form Canada's next government.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2025

Her sure-handedness won her acclaim as the “grande dame” of Francophone literature.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024

She introduces herself as Dr. Margot, the Francophone Foundation chaperone for the trip, and helps me check in.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023