extrait

extract, excerpt

noun ex-TREH Rare

Origin: Latin extractus

Also means

concentrate (substance)

Usage Note

Extrait covers both a passage quoted from a text or film (un extrait de roman) and a concentrated substance in cooking or chemistry (extrait de vanille). It is also the past participle of the verb extraire (to extract). An extrait de naissance is a birth certificate extract, a common administrative document in France.

Examples

"Elle a lu un extrait du livre à la classe."

Natural Translation

She read an excerpt from the book to the class.

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

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

FrenchNow

Ordering Food in French: Restaurant Phrases That Work

Order food in French with confidence: greet first, say je voudrais not je veux, ask for a carafe d'eau, answer quelle cuisson, and request the bill yourself.

June 4, 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