fugue

fugue, flight, running away

noun FÜG Rare

Origin: Italian fuga (flight), from Latin fugere (to flee)

Also means

fugue (music)

Usage Note

Fugue covers two distinct domains: in music, une fugue de Bach is a Bach fugue; in everyday life, faire une fugue means 'to run away from home.' The related verb is fuguer and a runaway is un(e) fugitif/fugitive.

Examples

"L'adolescent a fait une fugue pendant trois jours."

Natural Translation

The teenager ran away from home for three days.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

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

French Numbers 70, 80, 90 Made Simple

French numbers 70, 80, 90 are soixante-dix, quatre-vingts, and quatre-vingt-dix. Learn three build formulas to make any number 70-99 on the fly.

June 3, 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

The Bonjour Rule: French Etiquette for Visitors

Always say bonjour before you ask, order, or pay in France — the unspoken rule that opens every door. A respectful visitor's guide to French etiquette.

June 4, 2026 6 min read