Old French
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of Old French
First recorded in 1885–90
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.
“Beaufort” comes from the Old French of “beau fort” or “bel fort” for beautiful fortress.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026
In Latin persicum became persica, pessica, the Old French pesche, the Old English peche and peoche, and finally peach.
From Slate ● Jan. 5, 2021
The word “morgue” comes from the Old French “morguer,” meaning “to look at solemnly.”
From Washington Post ● Jul. 15, 2020
The word "pudding" comes from Boudin, the Old French for "black pudding," a development from Botellus, Latin for "sausage, small intestine." '50s pudding was the stuff of Americana, soft and sweet and spoonable.
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2018
“Fine, Old French, maybe Latin or something,” she said, flustered.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.