Skip to content

abîme

abyss

noun ah-BEEM Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Sizes & Shapes

Origin: Greek abyssos, 'bottomless'

Also means

chasm

Usage Note

abîme conveys both a literal bottomless pit and a figurative gulf or profound difference — 'un abîme de désespoir' means 'an abyss of despair'. The verb abîmer (to damage, to ruin) shares the root but has drifted in meaning. The circumflex on the i marks a historical dropped 's'.

Examples

"Il regardait l'abîme sous ses pieds."

Natural Translation

He looked at the abyss beneath his feet.

Explore French by topic