vrac

bulk (goods)

noun VRAK Rare

Origin: Dutch 'wrak' (wreck, loose cargo), via nautical French.

Also means

jumble, loose collection

Usage Note

Vrac is most commonly heard in the phrase en vrac — meaning 'in bulk', 'loose' (unpacked), or, figuratively, 'in a jumble'. Acheter en vrac (to buy in bulk) is widespread in zero-waste shops. The word also describes a disordered pile: il a tout mis en vrac dans la valise (he threw everything loose into the suitcase).

Examples

"Elle achète ses céréales en vrac au marché."

Natural Translation

She buys her cereals in bulk at the market.

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