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envoler

to fly away, to take off

verb ahn-voh-LAY Less Common

Usage Note

Envoler is used almost exclusively in the reflexive form s'envoler — birds, planes, and time all s'envolent. The phrase le temps s'envole means 'time flies'. It can also mean 'to be blown away' by the wind (le chapeau s'est envolé = 'the hat blew away'). The non-reflexive form is rarely used.

Examples

"Les oiseaux se sont envolés d'un coup."

Natural Translation

The birds flew away all at once.

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