anathème

anathema

noun ah-nah-TEM Rare

Origin: Greek anathema, 'thing devoted to evil'

Also means

curse

Usage Note

L'anathème originally referred to a formal ecclesiastical excommunication or curse; in modern French it means any strong condemnation or thing considered utterly unacceptable — jeter l'anathème sur quelqu'un (to hurl condemnation at someone). It is a literary or rhetorical term rarely heard in casual conversation. The plural is des anathèmes.

Examples

"Il a jeté l'anathème sur ses adversaires."

Natural Translation

He hurled condemnation at his opponents.

Literal Translation

He threw the anathema on his opponents.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Sorry in French: Désolé vs Pardon vs Excusez-moi

Use désolé for genuine regret, pardon to bump or squeeze past, and excusez-moi to get attention. A situation-by-situation guide to saying sorry in French.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Tu vs Vous: When to Use Each in French

Tu vs vous in French: use tu for one friend, family, or child, and vous for strangers, elders, your boss, and any group. A clear etiquette guide.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Je t'aime vs Je t'adore: I Love You in French

Je t'aime is the real romantic I love you; je t'adore means warm fondness, not romance. Here's the person-vs-thing rule and the bien trap that flips it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

How to Pronounce the French R (Step by Step)

The French R is a back-of-the-throat sound, not a rolled R. Learn the exact tongue position and a step-by-step drill to build it from sounds you already make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read