rigolo

funny, amusing

adjective ree-goh-LOH Rare

Origin: from 'rigoler' (to laugh, to joke), origin uncertain, possibly from 'rigole' (a channel/groove, hence watering with laughter)

Usage Note

Rigolo is an informal adjective; the feminine form is rigolote. It sits in the same register as 'funny' in casual English — perfectly acceptable in conversation but avoided in formal writing. As a noun, un rigolo means a joker or someone not to be taken seriously, sometimes dismissively.

Examples

"Ce film est vraiment rigolo."

Natural Translation

This film is really funny.

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

Je t'aime vs Je t'adore: I Love You in French

Je t'aime is the real romantic I love you; je t'adore means warm fondness, not romance. Here's the person-vs-thing rule and the bien trap that flips it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Café Culture: How to Order Like a Local

In a French café, un café means espresso, one drink rents the table for an hour, and you must ask for the bill. Order coffee like a local with these phrases.

June 4, 2026 7 min read

FrenchNow

Le, La, Un, Du: French Articles Made Simple

Le, la, un, du, des made simple: pick the French article family by meaning, the form by gender, and dodge the two mistakes English speakers always make.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Numbers 1 to 100: Count With Confidence

French numbers 1 to 100 in one complete chart, with pronunciation, the et-un rule, hyphens, and the four-twenties system explained so you can count anywhere.

June 4, 2026 6 min read