Skip to content

ozone

ozone

noun oh-ZON Rare
Animals & Nature Environment

Origin: Greek ozein (to smell)

Usage Note

Ozone refers to the triatomic oxygen molecule (O₃), both the atmospheric ozone layer (la couche d'ozone) and ground-level ozone as a pollutant. The phrase l'air sent l'ozone is used poetically for fresh sea or post-rain air. It is masculine: l'ozone stratosphérique.

Examples

"La couche d'ozone protège la Terre."

Natural Translation

The ozone layer protects the Earth.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

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

Explore French by topic