estomper

to blur, to fade out

verb eh-stohm-PEH Rare

Also means

to soften (an outline)

Usage Note

Estomper comes from the drawing technique of smudging with a paper stump (estompe). Reflexively, s'estomper means 'to fade' or 'to become blurred', used for memories, pain, or visual outlines. La douleur s'estompe avec le temps ('the pain fades with time') is a common figurative use.

Examples

"Les contours s'estompent dans le brouillard."

Natural Translation

The outlines blur in the fog.

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

Passé Composé vs Imparfait: When to Use Each

Passé composé tells the story; imparfait paints the scene. Use this 2-second flowchart, trigger words, and paired examples to pick the right French tense.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?

French adjectives usually follow the noun, but a small common set goes before it — and a few change meaning depending on which side they sit. Here's the rule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Silent Letters: The CaReFuL Rule

Final consonants in French are silent by default — except C, R, F, L. The CaReFuL rule, the silent -e, the plural-s trap, and liaison, explained simply.

June 4, 2026 5 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